Matchplay misery for Els

Giant-killing efforts dominate the headlines on day one of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship

Neil Tappin
By
published

Ernie Els and Adam Scott headed the list of high-profile players to fall at the first hurdle of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship yesterday. On a good opening day for the European players (15 progressed in total) Els (pictured) was beaten 4&2 by Welshman Bradley Dredge while Scott went down on the third extra hole to Shaun Micheel.

With first round matches taking place over just 18 holes, reputations were cheap. American Ryder Cup veteran Davis Love III, who lost to Geoff Ogilvy in last year's final, was beaten this time on day one by Ben Crane, ranked 53rd in the world.

Darren Clarke also failed to make it past the first day at the sun-drenched Dove Mountain course, losing on the first extra hole to Sergio Garcia. A timely birdie at the par-5 1st hole by the Spaniard set up a mouthwatering second-round match against the US Tour?s man of the moment, Charles Howell III.

Tiger Woods cruised safely into the second round with a solid 3&2 victory over Ryder Cup team-mate J J Henry, while Phil Mickelson, who beat Australian Richard Green, is due to play England's Justin Rose.

The European Tour will be strongly represented on day two of the first World Golf Championship event of the year ? Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald all made it through.

Neil Tappin
Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 

Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X

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