TUCSON, Arizona (AFP) — Tiger Woods rallied from a three-down deficit with five holes to play to edge American compatriot JB Holmes in the first round of the Accenture Match Play Championship on Wednesday.
Woods stumbled early but then turned to his putter for salvation, winning four straight holes over the final five.
The world No. 1, Woods nailed three birdies and an eagle at the par-five 17th.
"I was not hitting the ball very good most of the day, so I was very fortunate to be in the match," admitted Woods. "I made three bogeys and gave him three holes, but somehow hit a good shot there at 14 and made the putt.
"Today was one of those lucky times where everything just happened to turn my way at the right time. I'm very, very fortunate to advance to the second round."
He made putts from longer distances at each hole, starting with a 14-footer at the par-three 14th, followed by a 17-footer, a 22-footer and a 35-footer. Woods halved the final hole with a par to win 1-up.
Europeans won 10 of 19 matches as Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia were among those to post victories.
Harrington built a big lead with six birdies in the first 12 holes against American Jerry Kelly.
The reigning British Open champion subsequently closed it out for a 4-and-3 victory at Dove Mountain, another confidence-boosting performance as he works his way back to form.
"I got the start I wanted (2-up after four holes) and from there on I felt solid and kept moving forward," said the Harrington.
"Jerry obviously had to go after the pins and was under more pressure in that sense. That really made all the difference, the putting.
"I don't believe I am quite on the top of my game. I'm not feeling as comfortable as I could when I'm on the course. I'm working hard for everything I'm getting."
Montgomerie, meanwhile, did not look like the lowly 59th seed as he beat highly-rated American Jim Furyk, 3-and-2, on a day when fellow Brits players Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Bradley Dredge also won their respective matches.
Garcia, out in the day's first match, took an early lead and was never seriously threatened as he cruised to a 3-and-2 victory over Australian John Senden.
Garcia has a lacklustre record in this World Golf Championships event, never advancing past the third round in six attempts.
Donald emerged from an all-English showdown, beating Nick Dougherty 2 and 1.
"It was always a very close match," Donald said. "You never want to send a friend home but you're obviously trying to stay out here as long as possible. Nick played very steady and it just came down to a couple of putts at the end."
Next up for Woods is Arron Oberholser, who defeated lefthanded Canadian Mike Weir.
Australian Adam Scott is the only No. 2 seed left after Rory Sabbatini, Justin Rose and Jim Furyk were all sent packing on Wednesday.
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