Omens look even brighter for title favourite Woods

MARANA, Arizona, Feb 23 (Reuters) The omens looked even brighter for Tiger Woods as he stayed firmly on course for an eighth successive PGA Tour title at this week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

The world number one, who trounced South Africa's Tim Clark 5&4 in the second round yesterday, was one of only two top-10 seeds to reach the third stage at Dove Mountain's Gallery Golf Club.

Twice champion Woods said his game had improved markedly from the opening day and few would bet against him closing to within three PGA Tour titles of Byron Nelson's all-time record on Sunday.

''I played better than I did yesterday, which is great, and tomorrow, hopefully, I can play even better than I did today,'' Woods told reporters after sealing victory at the par-three 14th.

''I played well today and put a lot of pressure on Timmy. I know Timmy is struggling right now, he's still a little bit hurt.'' Clark is playing his first event of the year after battling a neck injury.

''I just wanted to put as much pressure as I possibly could on him and not give him any holes with bogeys,'' added Woods, who set the tone by winning five of the first six holes.

''I made a few putts, which was nice, and Tim made a couple mistakes, and I ended up having a pretty good-sized lead early in the match.'' Tournament champion in 2003 and 2004 when the event was played at La Costa Resort, Woods has not finished worse than second on the PGA Tour since the Western Open last July.

Only fellow American Nelson, who won 11 consecutive titles on the 1945 Tour, has produced a longer win streak.

INTRIGUING OBSTACLE Woods will, however, face an intriguing obstacle in Friday's third round in the shape of Australian left-hander Nick O'Hern, who beat South African Rory Sabbatini 2&1 on Thursday.

The last time the two met at the Accenture Match Play Championship, in the second round in 2005, O'Hern triumphed 3&1.

The straight-hitting Australian, although yet to win on the PGA Tour, is regarded as one of the best putters in the game.

''I'm sure he will take positive vibes from what he did the last time we played,'' Woods said. ''But the whole idea is you've got to play well.

''With the weather coming in tomorrow, you're going to have to hit the ball well. Even after some good shots you're probably going to have to get up-and-down.'' Rain and strengthening winds have been forecast for Friday, with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Woods also knows, if he is to win this week's title, he is likely to play at least one average round out of five.

''I've never played a match play event where all the rounds I've played were great golf,'' he said.

''You're going to have one or two rounds where you're not going to play well. You've just got to get through those matches.

Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't.'' Woods and O'Hern are scheduled to start their third-round match at 1200 local (1900 GMT).

Reuters AY DB1017