Woods let down by putting at NZ Open

World number one Tiger Woods failed to fire in his opening round of the New Zealand Open tournament on Thursday finishing one under at 70, three off the leaders.

Woods said he played well but was let down by his putting on the greens at the Paraparaumu Beach links course near Wellington.

"I hit the ball well, unfortunately I didn't make any putts today. Putts I did hit good didn't go in, putts I didn't hit very well weren't even close," Woods said.

The signs were there for Woods from his first hole when he pulled a birdie putt of about two metres, after which he came close on several holes but could never nail the decisive putt.

"It was tough to be decisive (on the greens)...they are wavy and tended to veer off at the end," he said.

Overall, Woods said he had played well but conservatively on the par-71, 6052 metres (6618 yards) course, which features narrow fairways and tall rough, and he kept the driver largely in his bag, preferring a two iron off many tees.

"I should have shot a few shots lower...but if you get careless the shots can mount up," Woods said.

Joint leaders in the clubhouse, with half the field still to play, were New Zealand's Stephen Scahill and Australian Craig Spence, both on four under 67.

They were followed a further stroke back on 68 by Australian Anthony Painter, and New Zealanders Elliot Boult and Alastair Sidford, and a group of seven players on 69.

Defending champion and Woods playing partner David Smail of New Zealand carded a two over 73.

Early conditions at the course were near perfect with a light breeze off the nearby Tasman Sea taking the edge of the warm temperatures. The wind started to freshen late morning.

Security at the course is tight after an unspecified threat was made against the event in a letter containing cyanide poison.

Woods' group was escorted by a small team of police, as well as a gallery of hundreds.