Accenture Match Play - Els heads home

Ernie Els became the first big name to fall by the wayside when he was crushed 6&5 by American Jonathan Byrd in the first round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship on Wednesday.

The South African world number four bogeyed four of the first nine holes before losing the match on the 13th green, the fifth time he has lost in the tournament's opening round in eight appearances.

Byrd, world-ranked 63rd, reeled off six birdies in a flawless display at Dove Mountain's Gallery Golf Club for a winning start on his debut in the first World Golf Championships (WGC) event of the year.

"I feel good about where my game is and in a week like this you've got all to gain, nothing to lose," a beaming Byrd told reporters.

"I went out there and played some really good golf. I barely got in the field so I was excited about being here, and excited about having a good match with Ernie. It was fun."

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Mercedes Benz Championship - Day 3 wrap

Mike Weir finally got one last birdie putt to fall, and it was enough to put him in the lead Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

But even after a 5-under 68 on the most gorgeous day at Kapalua this week, one look at the leaderboard told the Canadian he would need another one just like it on Sunday, if not better.

This working vacation suddenly turned into a grind.

Weir, who missed three straight birdie chances inside 10 feet on the back nine, hit a deft chip to 3 feet for birdie on the par-5 18th that put him at 13-under 206 and gave him a one-shot lead over Nick Watney, who birdied his last two holes for a 67.

"I'm going to have to shoot another low one tomorrow," Weir said.

Daniel Chopra (67) and Jonathan Byrd (69) were another stroke back.

In the 10 years that the season-opening event on the PGA TOUR has been coming to the Plantation Course at Kapalua, there has never been so many players in contention going into the final round. Twelve players were separated by five shots, including defending champion Vijay Singh and Kapalua homeowner Jim Furyk.

"There's a lot of guys that have an opportunity tomorrow," Steve Stricker said after a 68 that left him four shots behind. "For me, it's going to take a real low one to catch him. But it's out there."

Weir had to wait three years to make it back to Kapalua, the longest stretch without winning in his career, and he appears ready to make sure he won't have to do that again. Playing in the final group with Stephen Ames of Calgary, followed along by a gallery with shirts, flags and even tattoos of the Canadian flag, Weir played without a bogey on a soggy course with strong breezes and sensational views.

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