By Doug Ferguson
Associated Press
MARANA, Ariz. ó Tiger Woods announced his return to golf, and phones began ringing from Arizona to Australia.
The Accenture Match Play Championship usually attracts journalists from various parts of the world, and 473 media had requested credentials to come to high desert of Tucson. Then came Woods’ statement that “I’m now ready to play again,” and 105 more requests poured in. And in Australia?
Brendan Jones, the last man to qualify for the 64-man field, was home with his family when he heard the news. Jones is no math major, but he knew the No. 64 seed plays the No. 1 seed in the opening round, and he knew who was No. 1.
“I got a few chills up the back of my neck,” Jones said.
The trick will be getting them to go away when he meets Woods on the first tee of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain on Wednesday.
Jones has played in five majors and three World Golf Championships. He spent two years on the PGA Tour without much success, but has won eight times on the Japan Golf Tour.
He is curious, like everyone else, about how Woods will perform in his first tournament since winning the U.S. Open on one good leg. Jones is being realistic about his opening match.
“I’ve come a long way,” he said. “If I get beat by anybody, I would like to get beat by Tiger.”
Historically, he is aware that three of Woods’ six losses have come at the hands of Australians .
“I’m an Australian, so I got some sort of chance,” he said.