Woods, Mickelson advance in match play

MARANA, Ariz., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods produced a birdie-eagle start in his return to competition Wednesday and sailed into the second round of the Accenture Match Play Championship.

Woods hit his first official shot since defeating Rocco Mediate in an epic playoff at last June's U.S. Open. The world's No. 1 player had reconstructive knee surgery following that triumph.

In the opening World Golf Championship event of the season, Woods defeated Brendan Jones 3 & 2 to set up a second-round match against Tim Clark -- a 4 & 2 winner over two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen.

Five of the top nine players in the world were knocked out in the first round, but No. 3 Phil Mickelson survived a late meltdown to defeat Angel Cabrera in 19 holes. Mickelson let a 4-up lead get away before making a birdie putt on the first extra hole.

If Woods and Mickelson continue to advance, they would meet in the semifinals Saturday.

World No. 2 Sergio Garcia, meanwhile, was eliminated by Charl Schwartzel 1-up, No. 4 Padraig Harrington lost to Pat Perez 1-up, No. 6 Henrik Stenson fell to Davis Love III in 21 holes, No. 7 Robert Karlson was a 3 & 2 loser to Peter Hanson and No. 9 Kenny Perry was knocked out by Matthew Goggin 2 & 1.

Among the first-round winners were Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Boo Weekley and Camilo Villegas.

Five matches went extra holes and 13 of the 32 first-round matches were won by the lower-seeded player.