CARLSBAD, Neb., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson all advanced past the first round Thursday at the rain-delayed WGC Match Play Championship.
Only two of the top 16 seeds lost in the opening round of the $7.2 million event.
Singh, ranked No. 1 in the world, defeated Shingo Katayama, 4&3; Woods coasted past Nick Price, 4&3; and Mickelson fought off Loren Roberts, 3&1.
Other winners included Retief Goosen, Fred Couples, John Daly, Tom Lehman, Davis Love III, Jay Haas, Stuart Appleby, David Toms and Sergio Garcia.
Recent rains and unplayable conditions forced the tournament to start a day later than scheduled, meaning two rounds will be played both Friday and Saturday.
Singh will meet Haas on Friday with the winner then taking on either Daly or Chris DiMarco.
Woods will face on Nick O'Hern with the survivor meeting either Kenny Perry or Luke Donald.
Mickelson will play Angel Cabrera and the winner of that match will play either Toms or Mark Hensby.
The only losers among the top 16 were Mike Weir (seeded fifth) and Darren Clarke (12).
Woods is the two-time defending champion of the tournament.
