English pair square up

2008-02-18

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By Mark GarrodSpecial to PA SportsTicker

MARANA, Arizona (Ticker) -- Luke Donald and Nick Dougherty, Walker Cup partners seven years ago, will be facing each other when the Accenture World Match Play Championship starts in Arizona on Wednesday.

Following Ernie Els'' late decision to play, the only absenteefrom the world''s top 64 when the official draw was made onSunday night was injured American Brett Wetterich.

That brought 65th-ranked JB Holmes into the field and into aclash with world No. 1 Tiger Woods and also meant that Donaldand Dougherty, seeded 19th and 46th, will meet.

Woods, winner of his last five tournaments, inevitably startsfavorite, but he could have had far easier opposition in hisfirst match. Holmes beat Phil Mickelson in a playoff for theFBR Open in Phoenix only two weeks ago.

It is one of three all-European clashes in the opening round.Ian Poulter takes on Dane Soren Hansen and in the same quarterPaul Casey meets his Ryder Cup partner Robert Karlsson.

Colin Montgomerie has to tackle Jim Furyk, who has dropped fromthird to sixth in the world this year, while British Openchampion Padraig Harrington is up against American Jerry Kelly.

Seventh seed Justin Rose faces Australian Rod Pampling, LeeWestwood plays Brandt Snedeker and Welshman Bradley Dredge,conqueror of Els last year, will try to bring down another SouthAfrican in Rory Sabbatini.