Woods 3 under at Australian Open after 12 holes

SYDNEY (AP) - Tiger Woods was 3-under par after 12 holes in the Australian Open on Thursday after an unlucky start that saw him lip out birdie putts on three of his first five holes at The Lakes.

Woods, preparing for the Presidents Cup next week at Royal Melbourne, birdied the par-5 eighth and made the turn in 1-under 34. He birdied Nos. 10 and 11 to pull within four strokes leader Jarrod Lyle.

Woods‘ putt from 10 feet curled around the first hole, and his 18-footer on the fourth did the same thing. On the fifth, his ball did a complete horseshoe, and Woods, trying to end a two-year victory drought, looked exasperated as he tapped in for par.

Lyle shot a 7-under 65 in calmer morning conditions.

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