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Tiger practiced for the Australian Masters on Tuesday at Kingston Heath.
When the top-ranked Woods and Craig Parry played the back nine Tuesday at Kingston Heath in preparation for this week's Australian Masters, they were followed by more than 7,000 spectators and several helicopters hovered overhead.
"Is it normal?" Woods said later at a press conference. "Trust me, it's not. Thank God it's not normal."
Woods, making his fourth visit to Australia, but first since the 1998 Presidents Cup, has captivated the country. Tuesday's press conference was televised live around the country and the tournament is sold out.
Woods has received an appearance fee to compete, some estimating $3 million. But Aussie Rod Pampling said he's worth every penny.
"It's great for Australian golf and it's what Australian golf needed, to have this impact," he said. "The tournament's sold out and we haven't had that since the day's of (Greg) Norman."
Norman had hoped to play but is still recovering from shoulder surgery.
Woods has long been a fan of Australian sandbelt courses, previously competing in the 1996 Australian Open and 1997 Australian Masters.
"The bunkering is just phenomenal," said Woods. "You don't get a chance to see bunkering like this in any other place in the world. So playing these golf courses, it's a treat."
Woods said he is appreciative of the nuances and strategy involved. Unlike many of today's courses, where length is a priority, sandbelt courses are shorter, tighter and require imaginative shot making.
"It is what golf is all about," he said. "There are so many different options. You have to be able to shape the ball around the golf course, you have to be able to think."
Woods, coming off a sixth-place finish last week in the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, begins first-round play on the 10th tee at 3:30 p.m. ET Wednesday with Parry and Pampling. Record temperatures have baked out the course, and the weather is expected to be hot most of the week.