The World Match Play Golf Championship began this afternoon in California and Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington are both out in the first round.
Clarke crashed out to American Matt Gogel, ranked 47 places below him in the world rankings. He had to make a 15-footer on the long 17th to stay alive, but lipped out and shook hands losing two and one. Harrington fared no better as he lost three and two to the American left hander Steve Flesch. Paul McGinley is in good form however and is three up after ten holes.
Elsewhere Scott McCarron was a 2 and 1 winner over Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabel beat Justin Leonard, Paul Azinger beat Jesper Parnevik while Peter O'Malley is 3 up against Tiger Woods.
Filed by Johnny Proby
