WGC-Accenture World Match-play Championship

Ross McGowan KOs top seed Steve

Stricker at 19th hole in first round

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
England's Ross McGowan, only playing because Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson chose not to, knocked top seed Steve Stricker out of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Arizona yesterday.
With a 25ft par putt on the first extra hole, McGowan, pictured, grabbed the biggest possible scalp on a day which also saw Rory McIlroy come from four down to win, but Padraig Harrington and Ross Fisher were among those beaten at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain venue.
Stricker went to world number two when he won the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles two weeks ago, but his defeat opens the door for Lee Westwood to move into that spot this weekend.
Westwood would have to win the title for that, but he made a good start by overcoming fellow Englishman Chris Wood 3 and 1.
McGowan was little known until he finished runner-up to Westwood at the Dubai World Championship in November, and was a massive underdog against Stricker.
He becomes only the second 64th seed to beat the top seed in the history of the event. Australian Peter O'Malley eliminated Tiger Woods in 2002.
McIlroy, meanwhile, pulled off a brilliant victory from the jaws of defeat.
He lost four of the first six holes to American Kevin Na early on and was still two behind with only four left.
But the 20-year-old fourth seed eagled the next and won on the final green as Na, ranked 61st in the world, crumbled.
It was just the sort of thing that would have hugely impressed Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, who earlier this week said: "I want to see guys who show guts and determination, guys who are maybe two or three down with four or five holes to play but who battle back to win."

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ALL 32 FIRST-DAY RESULTS