Australian challenge awaits Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods will face Australian Brendan Jones in the opening round of the Accenture World Match Play, should he decide to play in the event.

The world number one has not played since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery after winning the US Open at Torrey

Pines last June.

However, rumours suggest that Woods - whose wife gave birth to their second child last week - is practicing hard and a decision over his participation is expected by the end of the week.

Should Woods play, it sets up the possibility of a mouth-watering tie against teenage sensation Rory McIlroy in the third round.

McIlroy, who was named The Race of Dubai's golfer of the month yesterday largely due to his Dubai Desert Classic triumph, starts his campaign against in-form South African Louis Oosthuizen.

The 64-man field, at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, sees European Tour Order of Merit winner Robert Karlsson and Peter Hanson compete in an all Swedish encounter, whilst second seed Sergio Garcia meets Charl Schwartzel.

Elsewhere, Irishman Graeme McDowell will face former Masters champion Zach Johnson, and England's Lee Westwood will take on Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng.