Tiger Woods watches his approach shot on the 10th hole of the Accenture Match Play Championship match Thursday against South African Tim Clark.
The biggest story in the world of sports this week has reached its closing chapter.
Tiger Woods, the world’s top-ranked golfer who was coming back from last summer’s knee surgery, lost in the second round of the Accenture Match Play Championship on Thursday afternoon.
Tim Clark, rated 32nd in the world but without a win on the PGA Tour, defeated Woods 4-and-2.
“From the standpoint of ball-striking, I’m very pleased with how I hit the ball,” Woods said. “I just didn’t make enough birdies, and in match play, you have to make birdies.”
Clark’s victory eliminates the tournament’s biggest draw. About 150 of the 525 media credentials issued for the event were handed out after Woods announced last Thursday that he would play.
None of the four No. 1 seeds in the 64-player field – broken up into four brackets like an NCAA basketball tournament – survived to reach Friday’s third round.
The highest-seeded remaining golfer is Phil Mickelson, who is seeded fifth overall.
Woods took a lead in his match with a birdie on the second hole, but Clark tied the match on the fifth hole. With three consecutive birdies on the back nine, Clark was 3-up after 13 holes.
Woods flashed comeback magic on the short hole, blasting out of a greenside bunker for a birdie on the 14th hole. But he lost almost all hope when he pushed his tee shot on the short par-4 15th out of bounds to the right.
Woods, hitting another shot from the tee, drove the green on his third stroke, but missed the putt for par. Clark, a South African who lives in Scottsdale, went 3-up with three holes to go.
Woods, after missing a birdie putt on the par-3 16th, conceded the hole and the match to Clark.
“Tim is a wonderful player,” Woods said.
Woods was unsure of his short-term schedule, but reported no problems with his reconstructed left knee.
“I feel great as of right now,” he said.
Tiger out of tourney
Accenture Match Play Championship second round
Tiger Woods lost to Tim Clark at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain Thursday afternoon. Woods lost in the second round of competition. Woods was competing in the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana.
All four number one seeds have been eliminated. Phil Michelson and Geoff Ogilvy, who are both number two seeds, are still in the tournament.
Producer: VAL CANEZ/Tucson Citizen
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Tiger Woods leaves the No. 16 hole after losing to Tim Clark at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain Thursday afternoon. Woods lost in the second round of competition. Woods was competing in the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana.
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Tiger Woods (right) shakes hands with Tim Clark after losing to Clark on the No. 16 hole.
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Tiger Woods tees off on the No. 16 hole at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain Thursday afternoon.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 4 of 18 [Next | Previous].
Tiger Woods removes his cap at the No. 16 hole after losing to Tim Clark.
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The crowd reacts after Tiger Woods hits a birdie at the No. 14 hole Thursday afternoon.
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Tiger Woods plans his shot on the No. 13 green.
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Tiger Woods tees off on the No. 12 hole.
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Phil Mickelson putts on the No. 18 green at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain Thursday afternoon. Mickelson advanced to the third round of competition on Friday.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 9 of 18 [Next | Previous].
Phil Mickelson walks to the No. 18 green.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 10 of 18 [Next | Previous].
Tiger Woods plans his shot on the ninth green.
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Tim Clark tees off on the No. 12 green Thursday afternoon. Clark defeated Tiger Woods in the second round of competition.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 12 of 18 [Next | Previous].
Tim Clark putts on the No. 12 green.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 13 of 18 [Next | Previous].
Tiger Woods takes a shot on the No. 14 fairway Thursday afternoon.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 14 of 18 [Next | Previous].
Tiger Woods reacts after missing a birdie on the ninth green.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 15 of 18 [Next | Previous].
Tiger Woods (center) walks with Tim Clark (left) on the tenth hole Thursday afternoon.
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Tiger Woods takes a shot on the 11th hole.
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Tiger Woods takes a shot on the 11th hole.
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Golf fans wait for Tiger Woods to arrive on the 16th green.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson Citizen
