Germany’s Martin Kaymer became the fourth World No. 1 competing this week in Arizona to be knocked out of the WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship.

Kaymer joined World No.1s Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood who were bundled out in the opening round of the $US 8.75m tournament.

Kaymer found himself comprehensively beaten 5 & 4 by defending champion, Hunter Mahan.

Their match was  a battle of two players who have a wealth of match play experience — and each were trying to go to the Accenture Match Play finals for the second time. Kaymer was second to Luke Donald in 2011, and Mahan won in 2012.

This match was over almost before it started.

Kaymer went 2 down after just four holes after he failed to birdie either of the opening par-5s at Dove Mountain. Mahan birdied them both, then birdied three consecutive par-4s (holes Nos. 6-8) to take a 5 up lead. The match was over when both played parred the 14th.

Mahan has now won nine consecutive matches at Dove Mountain, dating back to 2011. This was the third consecutive year that Kaymer reached the third round.

SCORECARD STATS: Mahan made six birdies and seven pars in 14 holes. Kaymer had 13 pars and one birdie.

HOLES WON: Mahan won six holes. Kaymer won one hole.

NEXT UP: Mahan faces the winner of Simpson-Gonzalo-Castrano.