Pitiful and atrocious putting consigned Australia's Craig Parry to a six-over-par first round at the British Open.

Parry had to battle strengthening winds on the front nine and also on the way home on the Old Course at St Andrews, but it was his work on the green which let him down.

He and fellow Australian Marcus Fraser were among the first groups to finish, both carding 78s.

"We played out into the wind and came back into the wind," Parry said.

"I just putted absolutely atrocious, it was pitiful. I had five three putts and that's my score."

After a week of brilliant baking sunshine in Fife, the traditional St Andrews weather closed in as the first players teed off under a grey sky and in a growing breeze.

Parry carded five bogeys, while Fraser's two birdies were nullified by six bogeys and a double.

While they struggled with the breeze, world No.1 Tiger Woods toyed with the course, with five birdies in six holes taking him from one shot behind Australian playing partner Robert Allenby to a commanding four stroke lead at seven-under.

Allenby stayed in touch with Woods with his fourth birdie at the 12th to move to four-under, but a fairway bunker and three putts at the next sent him sliding down the leaderboard.

The double bogey at the par-four 13th undid the Victorian's previous good work, and although Woods bogeyed the hole after finding the same bunker, Allenby was four shots behind the American on two-under after 13 holes.

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