Early start for Woods

World No.1 Tiger Woods will be out on the course early on Thursday in his quest to claim an Australian Masters yellow jacket at Kingston Heath.

Woods and playing partners Craig Parry - a two-time Australian Masters champion - and titleholder Rod Pampling are scheduled to start from the 10th tee at 7.30am local time.

Michael Sim and James Nitties are paired in the following group while tournament second-favourite Geoff Ogilvy will be away from the 10th at 7.50am along with compatriots Peter O'Malley and Greg Chalmers.

Stuart Apppleby, Aaron Baddeley and Scott Andrew Coltart make up the afternoon's feature group to start from the first at 12.20pm.

Michael Campbell, the Masters champion in 2000 and Mathew Goggin are paired in the group ahead while John Senden and local lefty Richard Green are away from the first at 12.30.

Record heatwave conditions in Melbourne are forecast to abate by Thursday, but only marginally.

Morning cloud is expected to clear to a mostly sunny afternoon with a top temperature of 29 degrees while light southerly winds will increase up to 30 kilometres per hour.