How do you tell a king to lighten up. To give a little more of himself. To show that he is human after all?

Would he care what you think, or be irritated that you had the audacity to voice your concern?

Do such thoughts pass through the heads of Tiger Woods’s courtiers or do they agree with everything he says, laugh at all of his jokes and steer clear of any subject that might hint of criticism?

It has been interesting to watch golf’s finest player going about his business — and make no mistake, it is a business — at the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai this week.

But while his golf has again been of the highest calibre, Woods’s interaction with the thousands of curious spectators who have turned up to watch him has been of the depressingly familiar eyes-front variety. And that, for a player who says he is excited about helping the game to grow in this region, is not great PR.

Admittedly, the galleries have yet to learn not to take photographs at key moments (or, preferably, not at all), or to speak on their mobile phones, or when not to move. But they are exuberant and excited and desperate for some acknowledgement from their hero. They have not been getting it.

After two rounds of 67, Woods shared the lead on ten under par on Friday with Nick Watney, his fellow American. One shot behind was Phil Mickelson, whose well-honed public persona offers a direct contrast to the world No 1. This is one player who knows how to milk the crowds. He smiles, nods and looks ever so humble. He is not humble, of course, but he seems instinctively to know how to endear himself to his followers.

As if to illustrate the point, the world’s best two players provided a perfect cameo on Friday in the space of 30 minutes at the immaculately presented Sheshan International Golf Club, an hour’s drive outside the city centre. When Mickelson chipped in for a birdie at the 15th hole, he responded to the cheers in characteristic fashion and made a point of giving his ball to a little girl as he strode to the next tee. It is difficult to judge which of the actions was appreciated most by those around the green, but his “generosity” did not go unnoticed.

As he knew it wouldn’t.

Then came Tiger. At the 16th hole, he came up short of the green with a shot of no more than 90 yards that looked suspiciously as if he had fluffed it. That he proceeded to pop the ball into the hole from off the side of a mound and out of rough for an outrageous birdie provided just the theatre that people flock to see.

Players will tell you that the roar that follows such moments always lets them know that Woods is on the charge. And this was no different. People had come to witness a genius in action and they were not to be disappointed. So what did he do? He smiled to himself, picked up the ball and walked to the side of the green. Great play, miserable celebration.

Asked to describe the hole, he could barely be bothered. “I hit a four-iron off the tee, sand wedge into the hill and pitched in,” he said. And what was the lie like? “It was perfect.” How long was the chip? “About 20 feet.” Thank you. And good night.

It is noticeable here that Mickelson spends inordinate amounts of time signing autographs, whereas Woods, once he has finished his round, is rarely to be seen. At one point yesterday, Mickelson noticed a girl of about 4 being squashed against a crush barrier and got the security guards to pull her out and across to his side of the fence, where she stood alongside him. It was a masterstroke.

To be fair, there is not a moment when you are following Woods that you are not in awe of his ability. And when he does celebrate, fists pumping and roaring to the skies, it is one of the great sights in sport. But professional sport is not only about records — he is set on breaking Jack Nicklaus’s mark of 18 major championships — but entertainment, giving something to those who pay to watch you.

Many talk warmly of the great champions, such as Arnold Palmer and Severiano Ballesteros, who were as charismatic as they come. Will they speak like that of Woods when he retires? Sadly not.

WGC-HSBC Champions tournament Shanghai: Leaders after two rounds (United States unless stated):
134: N Watney 64, 70; T Woods 67, 67.
135: P Mickelson 69, 66; R Moore 66, 69; A Quirós (Sp) 69, 66.
136: A Kim 67, 69.
137: P Perez 68, 69.
138: B Gay 69, 69; J Randhawa (India) 68, 70.
139: K Oda (Japan) 70, 69; R Ishikawa (Japan) 72, 67; Lin Wen-tang (Taiwan) 67, 72; C Villegas (Col) 70, 69.
140: F Molinari (It) 73, 67; J Kingston (SA) 70, 70; J Dufner 69, 71; R Fisher (GB) 70, 70; M Kuchar 68, 72; M Kaymer (Ger) 66, 74; T Jaidee (Thai) 71, 69; S Lowry (Ire) 66, 74; P Casey (GB) 67, 73.
141: S Kjeldsen (Den) 69, 72; R Pampling (Aus) 69, 72; G Mulroy (SA) 69, 72; D Maruyama (Japan) 72, 69; S Dyson (GB) 72, 69; R McIlroy (GB) 73, 68; A Noren (Swe) 70, 71; E Els (SA) 70, 71; I Poulter (GB) 72, 69; H Stenson (Swe) 69, 72; L Westwood (GB) 70, 71.
142: R Sabbatini (SA) 74, 68; R Allenby (Aus) 73, 69; R Goosen (SA) 71, 71.
143: O Wilson (GB) 71, 72; S Strange (Aus) 71, 72; Yang Yong Eun (S Kor) 72, 71; C Muniyappa (India) 74, 69; Zhang Lianwei (China) 73, 70; P Harrington (Ire) 74, 69; S Katayama (Japan) 75, 68.