Donald exits, Tiger scrapes through
Top seed and defending champion Luke Donald crashed out of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, losing 5&4 to late-entry Ernie Els in the opening round.
Donald won last year's title with an imperious display, never trailing in any of his six matches, but he struggled against South African Els on a sun-splashed day at Dove Mountain's Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.
The triple Major champion made the most of an error-prone performance by the British world number one and sealed victory when he sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-four 14th.
"I'm not sure where to start," a subdued Donald said. "I just didn't play very well. It's disappointing. I've been working really hard.
"I struggled. I gave away too many holes and made too many mistakes. You can't do that in match play against anyone, let alone Ernie."
The lowest-ranked player in the elite field of 64, former world number one Els was gifted a spot at Dove Mountain when Phil Mickelson withdrew to spend time with his family.
While three-times winner Tiger Woods scraped through one up against Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Charl Schwartzel and Bae Sang-moon both won their opening matches in comfort.
Masters champion Schwartzel of South Africa eased past big-hitting American Gary Woodland 4&2 and South Korean Bae upset Britain's Ian Poulter, the 2010 champion, 4&3.
British world number three Lee Westwood beat Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts 3&1 and fourth-ranked German Martin Kaymer advanced with a 4&2 win over Australian left-hander Greg Chalmers.
Woods, winner of this event in 2003, 2004 and 2008, was two down to Fernandez-Castano after just two holes but finally ended a wildly fluctuating encounter with an eight-foot par putt at the 18th.
"We both made our share of mistakes, there's no doubt about that, but somehow I was able to move on," Woods said.
In other first-round matches, in-form South Korean Yang Yong-eun beat Britain's Graeme McDowell 2&1 and Dustin Johnson scraped past fellow American Jim Furyk after 20 holes.
Yang, who became the first Asian male to win a major with his victory at the 2009 US PGA Championship, produced sizzling form with seven birdies in the first match out.
"I ran into a man that played extremely well," a frustrated McDowell said. "I felt like I had to follow him all day long, and I did most of the day, but he didn't put a foot wrong.
"I made six birdies today. You just run into the wrong guy on the wrong day, and you have got your work cut out. I didn't take care of business, so I'm disappointed, yeah."
Soon after Yang's win, Japan's Ryo Ishikawa came from three down after 13 holes to beat American Bill Haas one up before Paul Lawrie edged fellow Briton Justin Rose by the same margin on a breezy, sun-splashed day in the Arizona desert.
Ishikawa birdied 14, 15 and 17 before wrapping up victory on the 18th green against an in-form opponent who won the US PGA Tour's Northern Trust Open on Sunday in a playoff.
"Through the first 13 holes, it was really tough and I wasn't playing that well," Ishikawa said through an interpreter.
"But the last five holes, I was able to compete with the opponent. This course is suited for me."
In other matches, Hunter Mahan battled past fellow American Zach Johnson after 19 holes and Italian Matteo Manassero never trailed on his way to a 3&2 win over American Webb Simpson.
Comment 48 - 67 of 67
rtz5. By the way, there's no backtracking on your words here. If Mcilroy goes on to win it, you will have to grin and bear it. I know you think Tiger's great (one thing we can agree on) but you tipped him to go far and he's gone. Knew Jason Day would not go much further. I just don't think this is his bag really. Surprised with Senden but I don't see him going further. I always said I think Westwood in terms of his majors performance is a bit overhyped but like Casey, Donald and Poulter, he is strong in matchplay and I'd say he's looking good for the win. He has a nice route to the 1\4 finals. he will beat Watney and should be too strong for either Scot. Then it's probably mcilroy and if he wins that, he'll win the event. rtz5, Kuchar will knock out Kaymer tomorrow.
Watney was just too strong for Tiger but you can see Tiger's golf is getting better but he's not quite there.
Jimenez is very impressive it must be said, he's just keeping his nose in front against Bradley.
A certain somebody repeat body { male or female } I am never sure said Rory / Lee were not going to get through the first round.Great competition some funny results Yang? THats why this thing is so good. Enjoy boys and girl.
Well done KAYMER, we are doing just fine, one match at a time and we are still right up there, we need to step up a gear tomorrow and show your quality golf and my professional picks, SUPER GOLF and let's keep the partnership going and blow all these other choppers on this blog right out the window!
Westwood playing well Piecrust but I will back Watney to take him out tomorrow, watch this space!
The Official WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Prediction Board. Updated at 22:09 @ 23/02/2012.
Born to Run - Rory Mcilroy
Piecrust - Lee Westwood
ian.thomas23 - Rory Mcilroy
Wayne Kerr - Steve Stricker
brhogg86 - Rory Mcilroy
rtz5 - Martin Kaymer
Anne Helm - Brandt Snedeker
Gordy - Rory Mcilroy
yes it does Piecrust, I'm really disappointed the way TIGER is chopping around, Watney is a very shrewd player who can upset anyone on his day!
Does that include your beloved Tiger rtz5?
Com on KAYMER, show these bunch of monkey's how to play golf, you know I have picked you to win buddy, now don't let me down!
Tiger is getting away with murder again, Nick Watney is putting like a novice, he must be scared of Tiger or something. My pick (Lee) is looking very tasty.
Well done Wayne on Stricker.
Lee is putting in a strong statement of intent today. He is really fired up. Jason Day struggling but a lot of holes still to play but needs to start something hot very soon.
Where's Tiger parking his snake these days?
Guys Gordy did choose Rory on an earlier post, I forgot to include him/her sorry.
Best of luck to who's left.
Yeah you did, sorry Gordy.
The Official WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Prediction Board.
Russ - Jason Day
Born to Run - Rory Mcilroy
Piecrust - Lee Westwood
ian.thomas23 - Rory Mcilroy
Wayne Kerr - Steve Stricker
brhogg86 - Rory Mcilroy
rtz5 - Martin Kaymer
Anne Helm - Brandt Snedeker
Columba - Ernie Els
Gordy - Rory Mcilroy
u have left me out board i went for mcilroy
Cheers bobby, didn't expect Poulter to go out so quick when he's a real matchplay specialist, you still have to play well regardless. Are you still not able to watch the golf where you are?
Glad to see my pick (Poulter) went its usual way :) Good job I only play the slots in Vegas as I couldn't pick my nose!! Good luck to those left in.
Agreed it was a great nights golf, this is shaping up nicely, Woods has his work cut out against Watney, as does Rory with Anders Hansen. The list goes on, well done to Jimenez beating Garcia and Robert Rock knocking out Adam Scott. A couple of guys really held in there, Jason Day and Dustin Johnson showing why Matchplay is such a great game by never giving up.
Who is left on our board?
The Official WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Prediction Board.
Russ - Jason Day
Born to Run - Rory Mcilroy
Piecrust - Lee Westwood
ian.thomas23 - Rory Mcilroy
Wayne Kerr - Steve Stricker
brhogg86 - Rory Mcilroy
rtz5 - Martin Kaymer
Anne Helm - Brandt Snedeker
Columba - Ernie Els
What an enjoyable days golf that was. The Furyk-Johnson match was great to watch, as was Ishikawa-Haas and Scott-Rock.. And much as I like Sergio, it was great to see Jimenez playing so well. A proper entertainer. Disappointing displays from Donald and Poulter though. I think that Luke maybe over-achieved last season and now we all expect too much from him. Looking forward to later today and what look like some interesting looking match-ups, particularly Westwood-Karlsson and Watney-Woods.
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