Tiger sighting creates stir Down Under

Thousands of fans lined fairways and TV network helicopters circled overhead as Tiger Woods played his first round of golf in Australia in 11 years Tuesday.

Woods joined Australian veteran Craig Parry for a practice round at the Kingston Heath course near Melbourne, site of this week's Australian Masters. The tournament will be Woods' fourth in Australia but his first since the 1998 Presidents Cup.

"Is it normal? Trust me, it's not," Woods told a news conference. "Thank God it's not normal!"

Woods also played the 1996 Australian Open and 1997 Australian Masters but has yet to win in Australia.

He is being paid almost $3 million in fees for his one-off appearance, but his presence caused tickets to the tournament to sell out within minutes.

FALDO GETS NEW TITLE: Nick Faldo has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for a career in which he won six majors and captained Europe's Ryder Cup team.

Faldo can call himself "Sir Nick Faldo" after the ceremony at Windsor Castle. He was awarded the honor for his services to the sport.

The two-time European Order of Merit winner won three Masters Tournaments and three British Open titles. He is just the second professional golfer to be knighted after Henry Cotton in 1988.

LPGA WINS CHALLENGE: In Henderson, Nev., Cristie Kerr shot 4-under-par 32 on the back nine to lead the LPGA to the win Tuesday in the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge.

Kerr, Suzann Petterson and Natalie Gulbis combined for 6-under on the final nine holes to win $300,000. Combined with their $100,000 purse from the opening nine, the women claimed the overall title.

The PGA Tour team of Stewart Cink , Fred Couples and Bubba Watson finished second in the made-for-TV event with $330,000. The Champions Tour team of Jay Haas , Nick Price and Fred Funk -- which led with 9-under on the front nine -- finished third with $270,000.

CADDIE OF THE YEAR: Billy Foster was awarded the Caddie of the Year on the European tTour for his work with Lee Westwood on and off the golf course.

It was a festive occasion for the caddies, with lesser awards handed out for such things as best club selection and best excuse. Westwood helped host the evening with Sky Sports commentator Richard Boxall , but perhaps even more impressive was a dozen tour players who stayed well into the evening, such as Padraig Harrington , Paul Casey , and even Americans Nick Watney and Brian Gay , a former Louisville, Ga., resident.