McIlroy, Woods out in first round at WGC Match Play

Ireland's Shane Lowry, ranked 68th in the world and the 64th-seed in the 64-man field, toppled Northern Ireland's McIlroy 1-up, while Charles Howell defeated Woods 2 and 1 at the World Golf Championship event at Dove Mountain.

Lowry, a friend of McIlroy's from their days in the amateur ranks, made his run on the back nine, winning the 12th hole with a birdie and the 13th with an eagle to gain a two-up advantage.

McIlroy pulled one back at 14, but conceded the 15th after finding a series of bunkers. McIlroy then birdied the par-three 16th for a win, but they halved the last two holes with pars, and Lowry emerged victorious.

Neither Howell nor Woods made a bogey in their match, which ended with darkness closing in.

The round was continued from Wednesday, when a freak snowstorm in the Arizona desert cut short play, and Thursday's start was delayed for several hours.