TIGER WOODS gave Australian fans a taste of what they have been missing over the last decade by shooting a six-under-par 66 for a share of the first round lead at the Australian Masters in Melbourne yesterday.

Woods, playing in Australia for the first time in 11 years, thrilled galleries packed six-deep on each hole, notching seven birdies for a one-stroke lead with South Africa’s Branden Grace and Australian James Nitties.

“I felt pretty good today, I hit the ball pretty decent. I didn’t get my irons that close but took advantage of the par fives,” the world number one told reporters at the co-sanctioned tournament.

Taking advantage of benign morning conditions, Woods attacked Kingston Heath’s greens and had little trouble reaching on the course’s longer holes.

Chasing his first Australian title on his fourth visit, Woods faced a tougher task this morning with an afternoon tee-off likely to bring gusting winds and soaring heat.