Gallacher to take on Els at WGC

Just two weeks after defending his Dubai Desert Classic title, Stephen Gallacher is set for an interesting battle against Ernie Els in the opening round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona.

Gallacher will take on Els at the new and improved Dove Mountain course hoping to better last year’s performance when he lost in the first round to Ian Poulter.

With 61 of the world’s top-64 players in attendance – Woods, Mickelson and Scott the notable absentees – there are some mouth-watering matchups to kick-off the tournament.

The WGC-Accenture Match Play gives an enthralling break to the usual tournament set-up.

Ian Poulter opens the tournament with his match against Ricky Fowler, which will definitely be one the crowds will enjoy. Poulter has an impressive record in this tournament, winning 22 and losing eleven matches in previous appearances, and he has reached at least the semi finals on three of those occasions. Fowler, on the other hand, has struggled, losing in the first round in both of the last two years.

Rory McIlroy suffered a surprise defeat to Shane Lowry in Arizona last year and he will be hoping for a contrasting result against the big personality of Boo Weekley. The Northern Irishman lost out to Hunter Mahan in the final two years ago, and would love to get his first win of 2014 this early in the season.

In a match that will set the golf purists heart racing, Luke Donald tees it up with Matteo Manassero in a contest that is likely to go right down to the wire.

The action kicks-off on Wednesday evening at Dove Mountain as the WGC-Accenture Match Play gives an enthralling break to the usual tournament set-up. Be sure to tune in and enjoy the world class match play action.

WGC-Accenture Match Play – last 32 draw

Ian Poulter vs Ricky Fowler

Jimmy Walker vs Branden Grace

Bubba Watson vs Mikko Ilonen

Keegan Bradley vs Jonas Blixt

Steve Stricker vs George Coetzee

Graham DeLaet vs Patrick Reed

Jordan Spieth vs Pablo Larrazabal

Thomas Bjorn vs Francesco Molinari

Sergio Garcia vs Marc Leishman

Bill Haas  vs Miguel Angel Jimenez

Dustin Johnson vs Peter Hanson

Victor Dubuisson vs Kevin Streelman

Jason Day vs Thorbjorn Olesen

Jamie Donaldson vs Billy Horschel

Matt Kuchar vs Bernd Wiesberger

Ryan Moore vs Joost Luiten

Charl Schwartzel vs Kevin Stadler

Jim Furyk vs Chris Kirk

Graeme McDowell vs Gary Woodland

Hideki Matsuyama vs Martin Kaymer

Brandt Snedeker vs David Lynn

Webb Simpson vs Thingchai Jaidee

Jason Dufner vs Scott Stallings

Luke Donald vs Matteo Manassero

Rory McIlroy vs Boo Weekley

Lee Westwood vs Harris English

Zach Johnson vs Richard Sterne

Hunter Mahan vs Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano

Henrik Stenson vs Kiradech Aphibanrat

Louis Oosthuizen vs Nick Watney

Justin Rose vs Scott Piercy

Ernie Els vs Stephen Gallacher