Golf: Sartorial symmetry the only common factor in mismatch

By WYNNE GRAY

World golf No 1 Tiger Woods and New Zealander Michael Campbell reached the first tee dressed in near-identical garb for their World Matchplay Championship showdown in Carlsbad, California, yesterday.

That was where the similarity ended, though, as Woods cruised to a comfortable victory just over three hours later.

The cluster of television announcers enthused about how La Costa Resort course had been dressed up for the $10.3 million tournament, though they overlooked the clothing sponsors' dream match of sartorial symmetry.

From the swoosh on their caps to their black shoes, Woods and Campbell, the year's hottest drawcards in golf, looked fearsome figures.

But the dread was all Campbell's, from the first green, where his birdie putt lipped out and Woods sank his, until the 14th hole, when the American won 5 and 4.

The commentators were eager to view the confrontation, since much of golf's recent history has all been about who could stop Tiger.

They gave Campbell a fair chance, but felt Woods would have the advantage because of his prodigious length on a sodden course.

"Campbell has the ability, but it is tough to get back against someone as good as Tiger," was the call as early as the second hole, where Woods reached the par five in two with a mid-iron as Campbell was battling to make it with a metal fairway club.

The commentators changed tack to the America's Cup when they noted that Campbell was wearing red socks to support New Zealand's yachting prowess. He promptly three-putted to lose another hole as it was noted that his emotions were probably as hot as his hosiery.

Veteran English broadcaster Peter Alliss then chipped in with his ideas on the matchplay format, which he thought was "the most exciting to watch but the most nerve-racking to play."

As Campbell went four down before the turn, former United States Open champion Curtis Strange took the microphone. It would be tough to recover, he said, but the solution for the Kiwi was to go back to basics and get his swing together.

He would have to remove the word "celebrating" when marking his 31st birthday yesterday because he was not playing to the best of his ability. Maybe it was the bumpy greens, perhaps nerves, but he had somehow to slow Woods' momentum.

Campbell gathered a few birdies but only to halve the holes as Alliss offered comfort. The New Zealander was hanging on by his fingertips, but golf was a sport rich with comeback tales.

"You never know what can happen. He has got to start doing something - aaaaaaand by golly, he has," Alliss exclaimed in almost strangled disbelief as Campbell drained an 18-foot downhill birdie. Woods loudly complimented the stroke.

"I wonder if he would be so jolly if it was the 17th," Alliss said, regaining his dry composure.

But time, as on-course commentator Judy Rankine mused, was running out for Campbell. He had driven the ball well but lack of length off the tee meant he was unable to put enough consistent pressure on Woods, and around the greens Woods had also been sharper.

With four holes to play the match was suddenly over, a shootout which had been as damp as the California rain.