Camera, phone ban for Tiger's Australian showing

Organisers of the Australian Masters have banned spectators from bringing cameras and mobile phones to prevent a repeat of the crowd distractions which infuriated Tiger Woods in Shanghai last week.

World number one Woods flew into Melbourne yesterday ahead of his first appearance in Australia for 11 years and tournament officials were leaving nothing to chance with the most eagerly awaited golfing event in the country for years.

Woods, 33, who is reportedly being paid three million US dollars to play in this week's European Tour co-sanctioned event, will attract massive public galleries at the Kingston Heath sandbelt course.

All 25,000 tickets for each of the four days of the tournament were sold out early last month, with reports that officials are expecting crowds of up to 15 deep behind the ropes following Woods.

The huge crowds expected each day are proving to be a logistical nightmare for organisers, who have beefed up security for Woods.

They have also moved to ensure there is no repeat of incidents involving inconsiderate spectators, which marred 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.

Nothing went right for the American superstar as he began the final round in joint second place, two shots behind eventual winner Phil Mickelson.

Woods faded to finish five strokes adrift after a round of 72.