World golf number one Tiger Woods landed in New Zealand this morning for his first golfing outing in the country.
Woods arrived via private jet at Wellington airport at 8.10 am after being delayed nearly an hour. He came from the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii where he finished tied for
10th place after an excellent final round.
After touching down accompanied by his mother and other members of his entourage, including his Kiwi caddie Steve Williams, Tiger received a traditional Maori welcome on the tarmac.
Security has been stepped up after a threat to poison the golfer was received by the New Zealand police in December.
Woods decided to play in the event as a tribute to his New Zealand-born caddie, despite a letter containing cyanide which was sent to the US Embassy in Wellington last month threatening to disrupt the tournament.
New Zealand police have substantially increased security for the event, which has attracted 325 media personnel and television coverage that will be beamed to 158 million homes worldwide, organisers have said.
Police are today focusing their security precautions on train services, following a reference to public transport in the so-called 'cyanide letter', which also targeted food and catering.
Most spectators are expected to take trains to the Paraparaumu course during the tournament.
