Tiger Woods says the unique nature of Melbourne's sandbelt courses means he faces a steep learning curve if he is to justify his hot favouritism for this week's Australian Masters at Kingston Heath.
On his first visit to Australia for 11 years, Woods started his crash course with a nine-hole practice round yesterday. Australian veteran Craig Parry acted both as playing partner and tutor as about 5000 fans watched Tiger's every move.
He will be partnered with three-time winner Parry in the opening two rounds, along with defending champion Rod Pampling, the trio scheduled to begin the tournament at the 10th tee at 7.30am tomorrow.
The 14-time major winner and world No1 said Parry, known as ''Popeye'' provided some valuable tips and pointed out the course's biggest trouble spots.
Woods said it was the bunkers that set the course apart.
''You would never get a chance to see bunkering like this any other place in the world,'' he said.
''I just love coming down here and playing these golf courses, it's a treat.''
And he didn't seem to mind the big crowd on hand for yesterday's practice session.
''You don't normally see this many people on a practice round, certainly,'' he said.
''But I was telling the guys today it's unbelievable how nice the people are here and how understanding they are of the game of golf. That's the biggest difference I've seen, I've played all around the world.''
Some fans lined up at the first tee two hours before Woods emerged to play the back nine, sending them scrambling towards the 10th hole.
Only a few hundred were there as he began, but the crowds swelled as he worked his way around the course, taking the chance to capture his image on mobile phones, which will to be banned on today's pro-am and the four days of Masters action.
Woods's first look at Kingston Heath was not a true reflection of what he is expecting from the course, particularly by the weekend with high temperatures and winds forecast.
''I'll play all 18 tomorrow in the pro-am and then have a better understanding of the game plan and obviously angles off the tees and where I need to place it on the greens,'' he said.
The 6455m course is a kilometre shorter than some of the larger, and supposedly tougher, courses around the world.
Woods said the ''nice and tricky'' Kingston Heath design showed shorter courses could be tougher.
When he last appeared in Australia in 1998, Woods had just one US Masters title to his name, he has since won three more plus a further 10 majors.
He is being paid more than $3million just to appear at the Australian Masters, more than twice the $1.5m prizemoney.
Woods ignored suggestions that money was part of the reason 11 years had passed since his last visit.
''It's just timing, there are so many golf tournaments to play all around the world,'' he said.
''Unfortunately, I just haven't got down here. I have played a lot in Asia, I just haven't played as much in Australia.'' with AAP
2009 AUSTRALIAN MASTERS
Tomorrow to Sunday, Kingston Heath golf course, Melbourne. TV time: Live on WIN and Fox Sports2 from 12.30pm Thursday.
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