McDowell gets chance to tame Tiger

THE WITHDRAWAL of Sergio Garcia means that Ireland's Graeme McDowell will provide the first round opposition to Tiger Woods in the Accenture World Match Play Championship beginning in Carlsbad, California, on tomorrow week.

When the qualification process ended on Sunday night, McDowell was ranked 65th in the world, one spot outside of the last automatic place. However, Garcia had earlier indicated his intention to miss out on the event, so under the automatic draw system the number-one ranked Woods is scheduled to take on McDowell, 64th. One further withdrawal could change everything but as of now there are four Irishmen in the event with every reason to be pleased with how things have panned out.

"You simply can't get a tougher draw than this but I have to acknowledge that I'm very luck to be there at all and of course it will be a great thrill to take on Tiger," enthused McDowell.