Tiger Woods of the US hits an iron shot to the green during the first round of the Australian Masters golf tournament at the Kingston Heath course in Melbourne on November 12, 2009. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP)

MELBOURNE, November 12, 2009 (AFP) - Tiger Woods couldn't help but get caught up in the unprecedented crowds who hung on his every shot during the opening round of the Australian Masters here on Thursday.

The magnetic golfer's first tournament appearance in Australia for 11 years attracted thousands of fans to Kingston Heath, causing early morning traffic chaos that even Woods couldn't avoid.

"Yes, I was stuck in it too," Woods said of the traffic jam his presence had created before his tee-off.

Crowds thronged the fairways and greens several deep to catch a glimpse of the world number one, and he didn't disappoint them.

The 14-time major winner reeled off seven birdies, three of them in a row, for a six-under round of 66 and a three-way share of the tournament lead.

He was highly complimentary of the Australian gallery which shadowed his every move following his frustration at the distractions at last week's event in Shanghai.

"I think they did great today," he said. "People were obviously excited about the pairing (with Australians Craig Parry and Rod Pampling).

"I think the people were extremely respectful. They were actually trying to police themselves, which was great. You don't find that very often.

"The galleries are very knowledgeable. They're trying to help us out with some of the people who were taking pictures."

Asked how he wanted the week to end, Woods said: "As far as how I want the week to end, hopefully I'll be wearing a coat, a golden one."

It was all in contrast to some of the crowd's behaviour at last week's WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

Woods was incensed when a camera clicked as he was teeing off at the seventh fairway and his shot found a bunker in Sunday's final round.

He shouted "I just can't get a swing" and began swearing under his breath.