Irish Player Match Reports from PGATour.com

Irish Player Reports From PGATour.com GEOFF OGILVY (8) def. PADRAIG HARRINGTON (9), 4 and 3 In a match of big-name heavyweights...

Irish Player Reports From PGATour.com

GEOFF OGILVY (8) def. PADRAIG HARRINGTON (9), 4 and 3

In a match of big-name heavyweights, Ogilvy didn't need to play his best to beat the Irishman. Ogilvy, a two-time winner in this event, was 3 up through nine holes even though he had just one birdie on his card. Harrington, meanwhile, failed to produce a birdie all day as he bowed out in the first round for the third consecutive year. "Paddy didn't have his best today," Ogilvy said. "He let me off the hook." Ogilvy essentially sealed the deal with an eagle on the par-5 13th when he rolled in a putt from 13 feet. That put him 4 up, and with Harrington unable to generate anything positive, Ogilvy strolled to the finish.
Next opponent for Ogilvy: Thomas Bjorn

GRAEME McDOWELL (2) def. HEATH SLOCUM (11), 4 and 3

The reigning U.S. Open champ did not get off to a good start, losing the opening hole after his approach shot sailed over the green. After taking a drop, McDowell could not save his par from the rough. But he roared back with a 17-foot putt for eagle at the par-5 second to square the match. He then won four of the next five holes, thanks to three Slocum bogeys and a McDowell birdie at the par-3 sixth when he rolled in a putt from outside 21 feet. When Slocum bogeyed the 11th when his tee shot sailed wide left, McDowell was 5-up and cruising. The win ends a three-match losing streak in the first round by McDowell.
Next opponent for McDowell: Ross Fisher

RORY McILROY (2) def. JONATHAN BYRD (15), 4 and 2

McIlroy couldn't win the second hole with a birdie and didn't lose the third hole with a bogey. But when he eagled the par-4 fourth hole -- his tee shot came up just short of the 339-yard hole and he holed out from the fairway -- the Northern Irishman had a lead that he would not relinquish for the rest of the round. "I played very solid golf," said McIlroy, who reached the quarterfinals two years ago in his Accenture Match Play debut. Byrd, who won earlier this year at the season-opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions, had his chances. He squared the match when he birdied the eight, but promptly fell behind again when he missed a three-footer for par at the ninth. After that, he could never put another red number on his card.
Next opponent for McIlroy: Ben Crane

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