MARANA, US — Unpredictability was again a recurring theme at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship as former champions Ian Poulter and Luke Donald of England, and American Zach Johnson, were all eliminated in Wednesday's first round. While American Jimmy Walker maintained his red-hot form this season with a commanding 5&4 win over South Africa's Branden Grace, matchplay expert and 2010 winner Poulter was upset 2&1 by American Rickie Fowler in the 64-player event at Dove Mountain. Donald, who clinched the 2011 title, was hammered 5&4 by Italy's Matteo Manassero and world No. 6 Johnson, the tournament's third seed who is known for his gritty play, was stunned 5&4 by South Africa's Richard Sterne. Long-hitting Dustin Johnson, who has triumphed once and been a runner-up twice in just four starts on the 2013-14 PGA Tour, also made an unexpected early exit, going down 4&3 to Swede Peter Hanson. In total, there were nine upsets based on seedings from the 32 matches at Dove Mountain as the elite World Golf Championships (WGC) event once again lived up to its reputation for wild uncertainty and sharp swings in fortune. Fowler took advantage of a sub-par performance by Poulter, who is renowned for his steely matchplay prowess, especially in the Ryder Cup. Poulter, who succumbed to his third first-round exit in four years at Dove Mountain, wrote on Twitter: “Disappointed with my performance today do not deserve to move on. Congrats to @RickieFowlerPGA.” Fowler will next face his compatriot Walker, a debutant at Dove Mountain this week who is arguably the hottest player in the game after already securing three tournament wins on the PGA Tour this season. The top two seeds advanced, Swedish world No. 3 Henrik Stenson coming from one down after 13 holes to edge Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2&1 and fifth-ranked Englishman Justin Rose battling past American Scott Piercy one up. US Open champion Rose was also delighted to advance after trailing one down after 10 holes. “I'm very happy to come through that match,” said the Englishman, who has been recovering from tendinitis in his right shoulder. Fourth-seeded Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy celebrated his first start on the PGA Tour this year with a 3&2 win over American Boo Weekley and former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel triumphed by the same margin over Kevin Stadler. American Jordan Spieth, the 2013 PGA Tour rookie of the year, came from one down after seven holes to beat Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal two up while defending champion Matt Kuchar eased past Austria's Bernd Wiesberger 3&2. American Bill Haas hammered Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez 4&3, Frenchman Victor Dubuisson crushed American Kevin Streelman 5&4 and veteran Dane Thomas Bjorn never trailed before beating Italy's Francesco Molinari 2&1. Nordqvist in front In Thailand, former LPGA Championship winner Anna Nordqvist of Sweden fired an opening 66 to grab a one-stroke lead over American Michelle Wie in the $1.5 million LPGA Thailand at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course Thursday. Playing under overcast skies, the 26-year-old who is based in Florida hit six birdies, two bogeys and an eagle on the 15th to take a solo lead at 6 under par in the 70-player tournament. “I started with three birdies, so obviously got some momentum off the start,” Nordqvist said. “On 15 I had 59 yards to the pin, pitched a little bit past, and then spun in the hole. So that was pretty cool to make an eagle there.” After barely registering a top-10 finish, late last year Nordqvist had to find a new coach, Jorje Parada of Spain, and changed equipment. “It felt like at one point last year I was about ready to quit golf,” added the world No 27. “I just kind of lost the reason why I play golf, the fun of it. I have good people around me now. They have been really helping me to get that inspiration back.” Wie fired six birdies, while bogeying the third, for a 67. “I birdied all four of the par 5s today, which definitely helps on this golf course,” she said. Three more Americans are a stroke further back on 68 — Lexi Thompson, Jennifer Johnson and Angela Stanford, whose round was aided by a hole in one on the par 3, 146-yard eighth hole. World No. 1 and defending champion Inbee Park of Sputh Korea hit a 71 to join a large group of players on one-under that also includes world No 3 Stacy Lewis, 2012 LPGA Championship winner Feng Shanshan of China and Australian Karrie Webb, who just claimed a home tournament in Victoria Sunday. — Agencies
