ON A DAY when seven matches went to extra holes -- a tournament record -- it was the last one of the day that drew all the attention.
And depending on your perspective of the current state of Tiger Woods it is another story arc that supports his precipitous decline or his eventual resurgence.
One thing is for sure, it was more of what we've seen from Woods in recent months -- inconsistency.
In total, he lost seven holes and four of them -- if you include his concession on the first extra hole -- were lost with his opponent making par.
And anytime one of the greatest players of all time -- arguably the greatest -- it will lead Trunk Slammers.
Jones Bracket
Anthony Kim. He opened his round with two bogeys, a double and a par and only found himself two-down. Still, he couldn't get anything going from there and was closed out 5 & 4.
Francesco Molinari. It took until the 14th for him to win a hole and by then it was too little too late. With his wife having recently given birth to their first child, it seems likely that he's not taking the loss all that hardly.
Steve Stricker. Since winning the event in 2001, Stricker's results in five appearances: first round, first round, third round, second round, first round.
Hogan Bracket
Anders Hansen. He had more than his share of opportunities to put the match away. He held a three-up match heading to 14, but lost three of the last five holes to send it to extras. Both players played the first three playoff holes at two-over before Kuchar finally wrapped the match with a birdie at the fourth.
Ian Poulter. Jones Stricker and Jeff Maggert as the only defending champions to get knocked out in the first round. The loss is compounded by the fact that he had a two-up lead standing on the 15th tee.
Snead Bracket
Tiger Woods. He's still the most successful competitor in this event. It's just the second time in 11 appearances that he's gone home after round one.
Camilo Villegas. After advancing to the semi finals and then winning the consolation match last year, the rough start to 2011 continues for Villegas. With a DQ and WD already on his record this year it marks the third tournament in five where he has only played one day. We may have to explore this topic in depth a little more later.
Bill Haas. He was very much a trendy pick to make a deep run this week -- including by this guy -- especially considering the issues Bubba Watson had over the weekend. He was steady, but not spectacular in his opening nine with nine pars. Unfortunately Watson opened with four birdies and a bogey to hold a three-up lead.
Dustin Johnson. Was one-down after ten holes but won three of the next five to hold a two-up lead with three to play. He then lost three of the next four -- including the first playoff hole -- two of which came as the result of a bogey. It gives him three first round losses in three appearances.
Player Bracket
Jim Furyk. Only six of the 18 holes were halved in his match with Ryan Palmer and though he battled, it makes five first round losses in 11 appearances for the 2010 Fed Ex Cup Champion.
Zach Johnson. He won four straight holes -- 11-14 -- to square the match and then promptly lost two of the next three. He finished third in 2006 but in six other appearances he has four first round losses and two second rounds.
Trunk Slammer of the Week: Jeff Overton. It pain me to have to do this since I had Overton making a deep run this week, but after twice holding a three-up lead -- including after the first three holes -- there really couldn't be any other choice. The difference for him was the stretch from the seventh to 11th where he card three fives and two sixes and lost all five holes. He battled back to square the match and then lost on the first extra hole.
Must see matches today
Lee Westwood vs. Nick Watney
Matteo Manassero vs. Charl Schwartzel
Phil Mickelson vs. Rickie Fowler
Graeme McDowell vs. Ross Fisher
Martin Kaymer vs. Justin Rose
Mayakoba Golf Classic picks
Since I broke down the entire bracket of the Match play, I'm going quick-pick style for the week's other PGA Tour event.
Jerry Kelly, 25-1.
David Toms, 25-1.
Kevin Stadler, 50-1.
Chris Riley, 80-1.
Scott Verplank, 100-1.
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