Golf: Woods has to iron out flaws after worst round

False start: Tiger Woods drives for the fairway as he slumped to the worst round of his short professional career yesterday, to finish 12 shots behind Greg Norman after the first day of the Australian Open. The 20-year-old American carded a seven-over-par 79 at the Australian Golf Club course in Sydney, while Norman scored a 67. Woods, the winner of two tournaments since turning professional two months ago, struggled for accuracy around the Jack Nicklaus-designed course. His previous highest as a professional was a 78 at the Tour Championship in Oklahoma last month. "My good shots turned out bad, and my bad shots turned out horrible," Woods said. "I tried my heart out. I just couldn't execute the shots. I was out of rhythm." Another round in the high 70s or 80s today would see Woods miss the cut after being reportedly paid more than pounds 150,000 in appearance fees.

Scores, Digest, page 31. Photograph: Ross Land/Empics