World No. 2 Tiger Woods has joined World No.1 Rory McIlroy in being knocked out on the opening day of the WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship in Arizona.

Woods lost 2 & 1 to Charles Howell 111 and moments after McIlroy was a shock 1 down loser to fellow Irishman Shane Lowry.

Howell 111 was never behind in his match with the 14-time Major winning Woods.

He won the second with a birdie and while Woods won the fifht also with a birdie, Howell 111 got back to 1up when he birdied the par five, eighth hole with a second birdie of his round.

The all-American duo halved the next five holes before Howell 111 played the shot of his round, a short iron that landed just inches from the cup and with Woods conceeding what would have been the easiest of birdies for Howell 111 to go back to 1up.

However with darkness falling Woods walked off the last a 2 and 1 loser.

Tiger Woods joins Rory McIlroy in being knocked out of the 2013 WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)

Tiger Woods was then asked the following questions by those media in attendance in Marana, Arizona.

Q.  Do you think the momentum played a factor?
TIGER WOODS:  No, because we were all square a bunch of times out there, and he never got more than 1‑up most of the day until he made that putt there at 16.  But it was a tight match.  I had some putts to‑‑ at 10, 11, 12 there, he had a putt there at 14.  We missed our share of putts out there, which‑‑ it was a good, solid match for both of us, but he made a couple birdies there at 16‑‑ sorry, 15 and 16.

Q.  First competitive round since Torrey.  You’re always in the process.  How would you assess the way you played today?
TIGER WOODS:  I played well, I really did.  I hit a lot of good shots out there.  As I said, I didn’t make a bogey out there.  Unfortunately it’s the nature of the format, and I’m not advancing.

Q.  A lot of guys would have won their match if you had played with a lot of other players that won their match.  Is that frustrating?
TIGER WOODS:  It’s just the way it goes.  I’ve seen matches won where a guy shoots 7‑under par and he’s going home.  I remember at LaCosta there was a match where a player shot 7‑over and won.  It happens.  You know, it’s the nature of the format.  You’ve just got to beat the guy you’re playing against, and I didn’t do that today.  Chucky won the match.

Q.  A few days before your next event at Honda.  What is your plan the next few days?
TIGER WOODS:  Well, go get warm.