Posted: Feb 17, 2010 3:59 PM
Updated: Feb 17, 2010 3:59 PM
MARANA, Ariz. (AP) Ross McGowan of England rolled in a 30-foot par putt on the 19th hole to beat Steve Stricker, only the second time in the Match Play Championship that the No. 1 seed was beaten in the opening round.
On a day dominated by news of Tiger Woods, golf's biggest star managed to have an influence at Dove Mountain.
McGowan only got into the 64-man field because Woods did not enter while on his indefinite break from golf. That also elevated Stricker to the No. 1 seed, and he became the first top seed since Woods in 2002 to lose in the first round.
Ryo Ishikawa, the 18-year-old from Japan, made a sensational debut by winning the last three holes for a 2-up victory over Michael Sim of Australia.
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