Prayad loses, Tiger returns and wins

Prayad Marksaeng fell 2 and 1 to Lee Westwood as Tiger Woods made his much-anticipated return to competition early on Thursday (Thailand time), defeating unheralded Australian Brendan Jones in the first round of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.

Prayad, of Hua Hin, fell behind Westwood early, losing the fourth, sixth and seventh holes.

Prayad chips on the third hole

He won the eighth but the match then settled down with six straight even holes. Prayad won the 15th with a par-three birdie to get within a hole of Westwood. But the battling Thai then lost the 16th when Westwood birdied the par-three hole, and Prayad could not make up the deficit.

Woods, whose eight-month absence was the longest of his pro career, beat the Australian Jones 3-and-2, firing two eagles and drawing thousands of fans to the match. A spectator had a factual homemade T-shirt:

"PGA Stimulus Package: Tiger Woods"

Tiger got off to a quick start, making a birdie at the opening hole and taking a 2-up lead at the second, where he hit his approach within four feet and Jones conceded.

It was just what Woods said he was hoped to do and although he surrendered a hole to Jones with a bogey at the seventh, he responded with a birdie at the eighth and remained 2-up through 10 holes.

Tiger wins another hole

Woods had said since last Thursday, when he announced his intention to defend his title here, that he was eager to feel the rush of competition.

"I've had plenty of rounds. I've simulated tournaments the best I possibly can, but it's hard to get the adrenaline up," he said.

Woods hadn't hit a ball in competition since last June, when he won his 14th major title at the US Open at Torrey Pines.

Woods triumphed in a 19-hole playoff, then underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

After surgery and rehabilitation, Woods said both of his legs were stronger than they had ever been, allowing him to execute his swing better.