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Donald crashes out of Match Play
09:45, Feb 23 2012
Luke Donald's defence of the Accenture Match Play title lasted only 14 holes in Tucson.
England's world number one became only the third top seed to lose in the first round when he was hammered 5&4 by Ernie Els - not even in the event until Phil Mickelson decided to go on holiday.
In winning last year Donald was never behind in six games and never taken to the final green either, but on his return to Dove Mountain the 34-year-old - who like Els finished the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles on Sunday with a seven-over-par 78 - trailed from the third hole. Els finished things off with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 14th.
Ian Poulter, winner two years ago, was another of the first-day losers, suffering a 4&3 defeat to little-known Korean Bae Sang-moon, but three-time champion Tiger Woods came from behind for a one-hole victory over Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
In a scrappy match the Madrid golfer won the first two holes. Woods hit back to lead by one after eight, then hit wild shots and lost the 10th and 11th, but took the 15th and 16th and just held on. Bunkered in two on the last with Fernandez-Castano only nine feet away, he splashed out superbly down the slope to eight feet and was the one to make his putt.
Robert Rock, conqueror of Woods and the world's top four in Abu Dhabi last month, grabbed another notable scalp when he defeated world number eight Adam Scott. That came on the last, as did the victories by Scots Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird over Justin Rose and Alvaro Quiros respectively in two of six all-European clashes.
Lawrie, winner of the Qatar Masters three weeks ago, is making his first appearance in the tournament since 2003 and said: "It's great, but there is no point in playing these events if you are not going to play very well."
Second seed Rory McIlroy, left as Ireland's only hope after Graeme McDowell and Open champion Darren Clarke lost, was relieved to win on the last against South African George Coetzee after bogeying the 16th and 17th.
McDowell lost to Korean YE Yang for the second year running and said: "I made six birdies and played decent golf, but I ran into a man who played extremely well."
Clarke was crushed 5&4 by American Nick Watney, who next faces Woods, but Lee Westwood - never beyond the second round in 11 previous trips - overcame Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts. He and Rock are the only English survivors, Simon Dyson bowing out like Donald, Poulter and Rose.
Solskjaer not heading to Villa 22:45, May 22 2012
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running to become the new Aston Villa manager, Press Association Sport understands. more
Real is 'perfect challenge' for Mourinho 20:45, May 22 2012
Jose Mourinho believes the task of leading Real Madrid for the next four years represents "the perfect challenge" for the next stage of his coaching career after he signed a new deal with the club. more
Care bares his soul 18:45, May 22 2012
Danny Care is determined to repay the faith of those who stuck by him during a troubled season and inspire Harlequins to their first Aviva Premiership title. more
Hargreaves released by City 16:45, May 22 2012
Midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been released by Manchester City after his short-term deal expired. more
I won't stop tweeting - KP 15:45, May 22 2012
Kevin Pietersen has brushed off concerns his latest Twitter outburst could land him in trouble with the England and Wales Cricket Board and has no plans to tone down his comments on the micro-blogging site. more
Drogba to leave Chelsea 15:45, May 22 2012
Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea when his contract runs out at the end of June, the club have announced on their website. more
Haye rejects jibes from Klitschko camp 14:45, May 22 2012
David Haye has rubbished claims from Vitali Klitschko's manager that he is "afraid" of facing the Ukrainian heavyweight. more
Broad up to third in rankings 14:45, May 22 2012
Stuart Broad has achieved a career-best position in the latest ICC Player Rankings following his maiden 10-wicket haul in England's first Test victory over the West Indies, which concluded at Lord's on Monday. more
Mourinho extends Bernabeu stay 13:45, May 22 2012
Jose Mourinho has signed a new contract with Real Madrid which ties him to the club until 2016, the Primera Division champions have announced. more
Injury forces Leamy to hang up boots 12:45, May 22 2012
Denis Leamy has become the third Munster player this season to announce an early retirement due to injury. more
Fans' group challenge Liverpool owners 11:45, May 22 2012
Liverpool owners have been challenged to publicly explain their strategy for the club by a leading fans' group. more
Williams 'proud' of torch role 11:45, May 22 2012
Winter Olympics gold medallist Amy Williams said carrying the Olympic torch was an "amazing feeling". more
