Westwood exits as seeds crash at Match Play Championship

By Andrew Both

MARANA, Arizona (Reuters) - Second seed Lee Westwood was among the losers on a day of upsets in the second round at the $8.5 million Accenture Match Play Championship on Thursday.

Third-seeded American Jim Furyk, Germany's Martin Kaymer (4) and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (5) were also eliminated, following the first round defeat of top seed Steve Stricker at Dove Mountain.

That left sixth-seeded Briton Paul Casey the highest ranked player through to the final 16 of the World Golf Championships event.

Westwood fell 2&1 against 31st-seeded American Nick Watney, while defending champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia was bundled out 2&1 by Colombia's Camilo Villegas.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Japan's Ryo Ishikawa were among the few big names to advance. Retief Goosen knocked out fellow South African Ernie Els at the 20th hole.

"I would say (hole) 14 was a turning point," Watney told reporters. "He holed a bunker shot out for eagle on the 13th and I was able to birdie the next hole. That really kind of gained my momentum back."

Garcia worked hard to beat Dane Anders Hansen 2&1.

"It's a funny tournament this match play, because some years you come here you feel like you're playing unbelievable and you get beaten in the first and second round," Garcia told reporters.

"And some years you don't feel quite as great and you somehow manage to get it around.

"But I still need to get a lot better, to get rid of some of the shots I'm hitting out there."

Casey expressed delight with his form after thumping Canadian Mike Weir 5&4, a day after Weir had won his opening match by an even bigger margin, 8&6.

"I didn't expect that score today," said the Briton, last year's runner-up.

"Mike Weir's score card yesterday was fantastic. I read nine birdies out of 10 holes and I expected him to do the same today.

"I didn't see any reason why Mike would struggle today, but luckily for me he did."

In beating Ogilvy, who had an 18-2 record in this event thanks to two wins and a runner-up finish in the past four years, Villegas claimed perhaps the day's biggest scalp.

"Geoff obviously has a great record and he beat me last year," the Colombian said.

"As players, we don't forget those things, so last night I went to bed (thinking) it's my turn.

"I was patient the entire match. I've been working hard on my attitude and I think patience at the end of the day won the match."

(Editing by Ian Ransom)