CARLSBAD (California), Feb 21: Tiger Woods was knocked out of the WGC Match Play Championship by Australian Peter O’Malley in Thursday’s first round at the California tournament.

Regarded as the world’s best match play competitor, Woods received a rude awakening from his lesser-known opponent.

O’Malley, the world’s 64th-ranked player, closed out the match on the 17th hole.

The Match Play Championship is the only World Golf Championships tournament that Woods has failed to win. He did not play in the event last year.

Woods is not the only high seed who was upset in the 64-player event. John Cook surprised fellow American Phil Mickelson, the second top seed.

Mickelson, who won the Mercedes Championships at La Costa Resort in 1998, missed a two-foot birdie putt to square the match on number 11.

A total of 20 players from the European Tour are participating in the event.

The La Costa Resort and Spa is a par-72 layout that measures 7,002 yards. —AFP