Woods ready for second round at Accenture

MARANA, Ariz. -- Now that Tiger Woods is back to work, he's ready for the next step.

The world's No. 1 player was set to face South African Tim Clark in Thursday's second round of the Accenture Match Play Championship. The main question was how Woods' reconstructed left knee would respond a day after his first competitive round since he won the U.S. Open eight months ago.

Two years ago, Woods defeated Clark 5 and 4.

Woods' return generated worldwide attention as fans wondered whether he would be as good as the player who has won 65 times on the PGA Tour, including 14 majors.

He quickly dispelled doubts in the opening round, dispatching game Australian Brendan Jones, 3 and 2, on Wednesday. Afterward, Woods made it clear he didn't come to the Arizona desert to enjoy the 80-degree temperatures.

"I don't go to an event that I don't think I can win," Woods said. "Why go? It doesn't make any sense to me. So I entered this event with the same intention I do every event since I was a little boy, and that's to win."

The 64-man field was pared to 32 for the second round.

In early matches Thursday, former Masters champions Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson traded birdies and were all square through three holes, while Ryder Cup players Lee Westwood of England and Stewart Cink opened their match with pars.