8B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2007
PGA
Tiger prepares for match play
Woods must face unpredictable tournament,six of the world's best
BY DOUG FERGUSON
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MARANA, Aniz. — Tiger Woods has compiled some amazing numbers during the longest PGA Tour winning streak in 62 years. He has won those seven tournaments by a combined 22 shots, is 109 under par and has posted 24 of his last 28 rounds in the 60s.
The math is much more simple at the Accenture Match Play Championship.
To make it eight in a row, he has to win six in a row.
"This has always been one of the tougher events to win just because of the nature of the format." Woods, the No. 1 seed, said Tuesday. "Match play, anything that happens is unpredictable. Sometimes, it takes a great round to advance. Sometimes, you can shoot over par and advance. All I know is you have to beat one guy at a time. You don't have to beat a whole field. Just six guys."
The 64-man field assembled in the high desert of The Gallery Golf Club represents the best in the world from 17 countries. The only guy Woods cares about today is Ryder Cup teammate J.J. Henry, his first opponent.
How fickle is this tournament?
"You can shoot 65 and lose. You can shoot 73 and win," Henry said. "You never know what you're going to get. Of course, I know if I play Tiger and shoot 73; I might as well pack my bags."
Jim Furvk is the No. 2 seed and will play Brett Quigley. Third seeded Adam Scott faces Shaun Micheel, and Phil Mickelson has the No. 4 seed and will play fellow letty Richard Green of Australia.
The most compelling match.
es feature Ryder Cup teammates — Sergio Garcia against Darren Clarke in one match, Padraig Harrington against Lee Westwood in another. And in a reminder that anything goes in this event, Geoff Ogilvy plays Steve Stricker in a match of past champions who were seeded No. 55 (Ogilvy) and No. 52 (Stricker) when they won.
Woods is a pro at match play, even though most of his success came as an amateur.
He learned as a teenager how frustrating this format could be, taking on a kid named James Mohan in the Southern California Junior Match Play. Woods said he shot 69 that day, posted the lower score and was eliminated.
"I didn't quite understand that," he said. "I just came home and told Dad, I shot a better score than he did, but he won the match. That doesn't seem right." He explained it to me. We went out the next couple of days and played match play."
After that, it was rare when Woods didn't win.
He captured three straight U.S. junior Amateur titles, followed by three straight U.S. Amateurs. His record at the Accenture is 23-5, and his single records in match play including exhibitions is 36-11-2.
For all the lore over Woods' record in match play, he might be tougher to beat over 72 holes of stroke play. Furyk was asked whether he would rather face Woods in an 18-hole match or 18 holes of stroke play.
It took him a while to find the answer before he drew one obvious conclusion.
"I guess the point there would be its not really a good scenario either way." Furik said.
Back in the swing of things
San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds reported to spring training Tuesday in Scottsdale, Ariz. He signed a one-year, $15.8 million contract last week. Bonds is just 22 home runs away from breaking Hank Aaron's all-time home run record.
Eric Risberg/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Edmonds takes it easy after multiple surgeries
ASSOCIATED PRESS
JUPITER, Fla. — Coming off a winter in which he had surgery to his shoulder and toe and continued to recover from post-concussion syndrome, Jim Edmonds will be taking it easy at the start of spring training.
In fact, the St. Louis Cardinals center fielder won't hit or run during the first couple of weeks of workouts, and will throw only lightly. He said Tuesday he'll use the time to work on his conditioning after an offseason
spent going from doctor to doctor.
"This is not a good situation to be in, but it's a situation I've been dealt," Edmonds, 36, said. "I just have to do the best I can, work a bit harder than normal and try to get ready."
"I can't remember last year that well," Edmonds said. "I don't even care about last year. I want to try to get to the point this year where I can
Edmonds played 110 games last season, his fewest since joining the Cardinals in 2000. He failed to win a Gold Glove for the first time since coming to St. Louis.
play and get back to my abilities and have some fun"
Edmond's shoulder was problematic most of the season. He had bone shaved from near the arthritic joint of his right shoulder blade and collarbone. He was sidelined by postconcussion syndrome after banging his head on the U.S. Cellular Field warning track. The toe required a daily numbing injection during the postseason before surgery to repair a torn ligament. He had a pin inserted that was removed 10 days ago.
ries, Edmonds hit .250 during the postseason run to the Cardinal's first championship in 24 years, and had 10 RBIs.
Despite the assortment of inju
He hopes a slow spring will lead to a healthy season.
Edmonds at least has no contract worries this season after signing a two-year, $19 million extension.
Edmonds has eight Gold Gloves and is fourth on the Cardinals' all-time home run list. Of his 350 career home runs, 229 are with St. Louis. He expects this to be his last contract.
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