Pandemonium as Woods wows Australian fans

• Source: Global Times
• [22:57 November 12 2009]
• Comments

Spectators watch Tiger Woods as he putts on the green during the first round of the Australian Masters golf tournament at the Kingston Heath course in Melbourne Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Tiger Woods brought the Australian Masters to a standstill with traffic jams, road closures and long queues as he made a memorable first Australian tournament appearance in 11 years Wednesday.

The 14-time major winner fired seven birdies and just one bogey as he opened his Australian Masters challenge with a six-under 66 at Kingston Heath.

Woods was in a three-way share of the lead with young South African Branden Grace and Australian James Nitties.

Spectators climbed into trees to get a glimpse of Woods as thousands clamored to watch his every shot in his first Australian tournament since the 1998 Presidents Cup.

Car parks were full soon after sunrise and all spectator vantage spots were snapped up as the world No. 1 teed off early in his opening round.

Access roads were closed and accessible only by car pass holders, taxis and local traffic in a bid to cope with the public crush to see Woods play.

Even Woods said he was caught up in the traffic jam from Melbourne to the outlying course, but the all-time golfing great was highly complementary of the reception he received.

"The crowd was great today," Woods said.