Golf: Garcia pips Woods

Spaniard Sergio Garcia birdied four of the final five holes to record a 1-up victory over Tiger Woods at the "Battle at Bighorn," a made-for-television matchplay golf event at Indio, California, yesterday.

While Woods fought off the flu, Garcia battled nerves before settling down on the back nine.

The 20-year-old Spaniard went ahead at the 16th hole with a long, uphill birdie putt, and Woods pulled his 3.65m birdie attempt to the left.

Both players parred the 17th hole. Woods sent a charge through the crowd and nearly forced a playoff when his approach at the par four 18th ran just past the hole.

Unfazed, Garcia made a 1.8m birdie putt to capture the $US1 million ($2.33 million) first prize.