Tiger Woods Survives Opening Round of Match Play

MARANA, Arizona (AP) — Tiger Woods had to go the distance to get to the second round of the Match Play Championship.

Woods took too many journeys through the desert and was trailing Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano until he drove the 15th green for a birdie to square the match, then took advantage of the Spaniard's struggles with the putter.

It was the fourth time Woods was taken to the 18th hole in the opening round of this fickle event. He next plays Nick Watney, who had no trouble beating British Open champion Darren Clarke.

The top seeds teed off late, with top-ranked Luke Donald trailing Ernie Els at the turn.

Dustin Johnson made the greatest escape, beating Jim Furyk in 20 holes. Ryo Ishikawa also rallied late to beat Riviera winner Bill Haas.