Ernie Els was the biggest name to fall by the wayside as twice winner Tiger Woods conjured a miraculous escape at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship on Wednesday.

Woods came from three down with five holes to play for a one-up victory over fellow American J.B. Holmes but fourth seed Els was hammered 6&5 by Jonathan Byrd, the fifth time he has lost in the event's opening round in eight appearances.

American Byrd, world-ranked 63rd, reeled off six birdies in a flawless display at Dove Mountain's Gallery Golf Club to end the match on the 13th green.

"I went out there and played some really good golf," a beaming Byrd told reporters. "I barely got in the field so I was excited about being here, and excited about having a good match with Ernie. It was fun."

Three-times major winner Els contributed to his premature exit by making four bogeys in the first nine holes.

In a first-round match of high quality, Paul Casey piled up nine birdies to edge Swede Robert Karlsson two up on the 18th green.

Casey, who was nine under for the round, conceded he was a little fortunate to overcome Karlsson, who finished at seven under.

"I knew it was going to be incredibly difficult and he proved me right," Casey said.

"It did go through my mind at one stage, could I shoot 64 or something and lose this match? It was very close. It's just nice to get through that first round."

Fellow Briton Colin Montgomerie gained a major confidence boost by beating world number seven Jim Furyk 3&2 and Swede Henrik Stenson, the defending champion, survived a late fightback by Australia's Robert Allenby to win one up.

British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland triumphed 4&3 against American Jerry Kelly and U.S. Ryder Cup player Stewart Cink won by the same margin against Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

In other matches, world number two Phil Mickelson beat fellow American Pat Perez one up, Swede Niclas Fasth outclassed Australian left-hander Richard Green 6&5 and American Boo Weekley edged Germany's Martin Kaymer 2&1.