EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED: World’s best prepare for unpredictable Accenture Match Play tourney

MARANA—Perfection.

In most athletic endeavors, perfection is considered unattainable. But over the past few weeks, it has been the sports world’s buzz word.

From David Tyree’s miraculous "helmet catch" keeping the New England Patriots from achieving 19-0 to the Memphis Tigers needing a game-clinching three-point play from Chris Douglas-Roberts to squeak past UAB on Saturday to Novak Djokovic ending Roger Federer’s run at the Australian Open last month, it is exceptionally difficult for any athlete to spend an entire season with a goose-egg in the loss column.

Of course, Tiger Woods isn’t a typical athlete.

Prior to the start of the 2008 golf season, a handful of experts began to whisper that Woods has never looked sharper or more focused.

They wondered aloud whether or not Woods could claim the championship in every tournament he entered.

After a dominant performance to claim the Buick Invitational crown and a rousing come-from-behind victory at the Dubai Desert Classic, Woods is attempting to prove that an undefeated season is well within reason.

After all, he has done it before.

He entered 36 Southern California Junior Golf tournaments in 1986. He won all of them.

"I guess I peaked at age 11," Woods joked.

Since that magical 1986 season, all Woods has done is win three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles, 13 majors and nine PGA Tour Player of the Year awards.

However, Woods is fully aware that past accomplishments do not ensure future returns.

No tournament exemplifies that reality quite like the unpredictable WGC-Accenture Match Play tournament, which tees off this morning at The Gallery North at Dove Mountain in Marana.

Unlike a stroke-play event stretched over four days, the match-play format forces a golfer to focus intently on each and every shot, because he doesn’t know what his opponent has up his sleeve.

"Stroke play is like a marathon, where you’re just trying to get yourself in position for the weekend to make a charge," Woods said. "Match play is a sprint. You have to get it done in 18 holes."

Woods grew up with an extensive and successful match play background, adding that it helped hone his legendary mental toughness and his overall approach to the game.

Woods will be paired up with J.B. Holmes, winner of the FBC Open and one of the tour’s longest hitters.

Holmes said he plans to relish his time in the spotlight as opposed to succumbing to the intimidation factor that has submarined some of Woods’ playing partners.

"I think a lot of the advantage he has over a lot of people is he can hit it 30, 40 yards past them," Holmes said. "Hopefully, I’ll be up there around his shots."

Woods, who is riding a five-tournament winning streak, concedes that Holmes will be a tough out, but he hopes his unparalleled short game will give him the advantage.

However, his typically sharp attention to detail faltered last year, where an unrepaired ball mark caused one of his putts to veer off course in his match with Nick O’Hern.

Woods said that error stuck with him well after the tournament ended.

"I don’t mind making physical errors and losing tournaments; that sort of thing happens," Woods said. "But making a simple mental error like that really bothered me."

Just what the rest of the field needed — a motivated, ticked-off Tiger.

Woods headlines the Bobby Jones bracket, with Ernie Els on top of the Ben Hogan division, Steve Stricker leading the Sam Snead group and Phil Mickelson topping the Gary Player bracket.

Mickelson, the world No. 2 and an Arizona State grad, hopes to capitalize on the momentum he generated from his win at the Northern Trust Open last weekend.

He currently leads the FedEx Cup points standings, and those close to him said his swing has never looked better.

While Woods has won this event twice (2003, 2004), Mickelson has never advanced past the quarterfinals.

It’s no secret that fans, sponsors and television executives would love to see Woods and Mickelson square off in Sunday’s 36-hole championship match.

However, both men know that the unpredictable nature of match-play golf can send anyone home early — regardless of world rankings.

If Woods manages to survive the six matches and emerge with the Walter Hagen Cup, he will set his sights on his ultimate goal — four major championships in one season.

Woods held all the major titles in 2001, but he has never completed the Grand Slam within the same season.

Woods has looked ahead at where the majors will take place, and he likes his chances.

"I really like all four venues," Woods said. "It’s all about playing well at the right time."

It is certainly a daunting task to be expected to win every time he laces his golf shoes, but Woods has never been the type to shy away from a challenge.

"I think it can be done," Woods said. "If you look at my career, I’ve won more than five tournaments per year."

This week, he just has to win six matches. Of course, that is much easier said than done.

"Match play is a totally different animal," Woods said. "You certainly get more psyched up on the first tee, because you have to bring it right away."

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747

Marquee match-ups

Notable Wednesday pairings:

7:50 a.m., No. 3 Sergio Garcia vs. No. 14 John Senden

9:20 a.m., No. 2 Jim Furyk vs. No. 15 Colin Montgomerie

9:38 a.m., No. 2 Rory Sabbatini vs. No. 15 Bradley Dredge

10:14 a.m., No. 4 Henrik Stenson vs. No. 13 Robert Allenby

11:08 a.m., No. 4 Geoff Ogilvy vs. No. 13 Justin Leonard

12:02 p.m., No. 1 Tiger Woods vs. No. 16 J.B. Holmes

12:20 p.m., No. 1 Phil Mickelson vs. No. 16 Pat Perez