Clarke faces Romero in Match Play opener

Former champion Darren Clarke, who won the title in 2000 by beating David Duval in the semi-finals and then Tiger Woods in the 36-hole final, begins his Accenture Match Play Championship campaign against Argentinian veteran Eduardo Romero.

Europe’s top-ranked player, world number 11 Padraig Harrington, takes on Japan’s Toshi Izawa while Justin Rose, in the midst of a lengthy spell playing on the US Tour, faces Australia’s Stuart Appleby.