Sergio Garcia declared a feeling of ‘weirdness’ in needing 20 holes to defeat Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the opening match of the WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship.

Garcia had hit the opening tee shot of the 2013 event at 7.20am local time on Wednesday but then had to wait 31 hours before winning his match at the 20th hole after Jaidee holed a birdie putt at the 18th in regulation to get back to all square.

Sergio Garcia cites ‘weirdness’ feeling after defeating Thongchai Jaidee. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

Jaidee then missed a 10-foot birdie at the 19th to send the match down the 20th that further delayed those looking to start their matches on the first tee, and that was after play did not commence to 12.30pm local time Thursday due to the affects of a snow storm a day earlier.

Garcia was asked by SKY’s Tim Barter how he felt after the victory of the former double Asian Tour No. 1.

“Weirdness,” was Garcia’s response.

“We started yesterday morning and then we had the snow and then all the delays, and this morning one more hour and one more hour, and then the way I started wasn’t all that well.

“So I was pleased to get through but I need to get much better if I am going to go through this week.”

Garcia finally went into his delayed match facing a 12 foot birdie putt on the 16th green and leading 2up but handed the hole to Jaidee when he sent the ball six feet past for an eventual bogey.

“Because of the weather they haven’t cut the greens for two days and I knew it would be a fast putt downhill but I was a little uncertain and I was little bit nervous,” said Garcia.

“The ball then went nine feet past and then I’m staring at bogey which I had.

“But I was eventually fortunate enough to play the 20th hole well and I am through to tomorrow.”

And Garcia will face American Ryder Cup rival Matt Kuchar who succeeded 3up in his encounter against Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita

No doubt, Kuchar will be seeking Medinah revenge over Garcia.