Jarrod Lyle leads in Australia but Tiger Woods within three shots

Lyle has only one top-10 finish this year and must qualify for next season's tour

Tiger Woods shot his first first bogey-free round in nine months at the Australian Open - but trails Jarrod Lyle by three shots.

Australian Lyle shot a seven-under-par 65 on day one - but former world number one Woods made four birdies.

Americans Dustin Johnson and Nick Watney are one behind on six under.

Lyle, ranked 477th, carded an unblemished round with an eagle three at the 14th and five birdies. He said: "Seven under is a damn good score."

The 30-year-old, who fought off leukaemia as a teenager in 1999, added: "That is the lowest score I've shot all year. I've played solid but have not really achieved anything."

Woods's display, after the controversy surrounding comments made by his former caddie Steve Williams last week, also caught the eye as he hit 14 out of 18 greens.

The former world number one had to deal with treacherous afternoon conditions in Sydney and shares eighth spot alongside Bubba Watson and amateur Jake Higginbottom.

"That was exactly how I've been hitting it at home so that's good. I just needed to take it to the golf course and here it is," said Woods.

"I missed a couple of greens here and there but missed them in the right spots."

Home favourite Adam Scott also had a good day as he carded a three-under-par 69, which included an incredible albatross on the par-five eight.

After a mixed start, which included an early birdie but also two bogeys, the Australian hit potentially the shot of the tournament as his six-iron attempt found the cup from the fairway.

"It was a bit of luck to go in the hole and it certainly put me on the right path after a bit of a slow start," Scott said.

"It was straight downwind - and I was just trying to put the ball right at the hole. It drew in a little bit on the wind and it was very lucky to go in."

The day was not without controversy, however, as John Daly stormed off the course part way through his round after hitting six or seven balls - officials have not got a certain number - into the water from the 11th tee.