BETHESDA, MARYLAND, USA - World golf number one Tiger Woods paid tribute to the late Michael Jackson, calling the 'King of Pop' a musical icon whose work influenced him and whose legacy lives on in today's stars.

Woods, speaking Tuesday at the PGA National tournament he hosts this week at Congressional Country Club near Washington, said that Jackson's music was happy and enticing.

'I think everyone here was a Michael Jackson fan - probably one of if not the greatest entertainers that's ever lived,' Woods said.

'My entire generation was influenced by his music, and just the entertainer and the songs. We listened to them. It was always happy. You always wanted to listen to his songs.'

Like Jackson, Woods was a child star. Woods, a 14-time major champion, was trotted out on television at age two to display his golf skills the way Jackson was a generation earlier as the lead singer as a child with the Jackson Five.

'His legacy is one of the greatest entertainers,' Woods said. 'I think that his draw, his appeal and his influence are in all the artists following him.

'You watch these guys in how they pay tribute, how they perform, how they dance and how they sing, their mannerisms.

'Look at Usher, Justin Timberlake. Their moves - they are Michael's moves.'