World number one Tiger Woods produced a superb late surge to come through his WGC World Match Play Championship first-round match against JB Holmes.

Woods was three down with five holes to play but a run of three birdies and a 36-foot eagle gave him the lead.

And Holmes missed a birdie putt at the last to hand Woods a one-hole victory.

Britain's Colin Montgomerie also progressed in Arizona, beating Jim Furyk 3&2 but Justin Rose lost 2&1 to Australia's Rod Pampling.

Rose and Nick Dougherty, who lost 2&1 to compatriot Luke Donald, were the only Britons to lose.

Ian Poulter beat Soren Hansen, Paul Casey hit nine birdies as he saw off Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood triumphed against Brandt Snedeker and Bradley Dredge was too strong for Rory Sabbatini.

Open champion Padraig Harrington beat Jerry Kelly to seal his progress and world number two Phil Mickelson edged past Pat Perez - but fourth seed Ernie Els was thumped 6&5 by Jonathan Byrd.

It had looked like Woods would join Els in being a big-name casualty on the opening day at Tucson until his remarkable late comeback.

The big-hitting Holmes was only playing because of an injury to Brett Wetterich but Woods admitted he was lucky to progress.

Woods said: "I was not hitting the ball very well most of the day, so I was very fortunate to be in the match.

"I made three bogeys and gave him three holes, but somehow hit a good shot there at 14 and made the putt.

"It was one of those lucky times where everything just happened to turn my way at the right time. I'm very, very fortunate to advance to the second round."

Thursday's Second round tee times (all GMT):

1615: Adam Scott (Aus) v Woody Austin (US)

1627: Sergio Garcia (Spa) v Boo Weekley (US) )

1639: Colin Montgomerie (Sco) v Charles Howell (US)

1651: Padraig Harrington (Ire) v Stewart Cink (US)

1703: Bradley Dredge (Wal) v Paul Casey (Eng)

1715: KJ Choi (Kor) v Ian Poulter (Eng)

1727: Rod Pampling (Aus) v Nick O'Hern (Aus)

1739: Vijay Singh (Fij) v Niclas Fasth (Swe)

1751: Jonathan Byrd (US) v Andres Romero (Arg)

1803: Henrik Stenson (Swe) v Trevor Immelman (SA)

1803: Phil Mickelson (US) v Stuart Appleby (Aus)

1815: Justin Leonard (US) v Lee Westwood (Eng)

1815: Steve Stricker (US) v Hunter Mahan (US)

1827: Angel Cabrera (Arg) v Luke Donald (Eng) )

1839: Tiger Woods (US) v Arron Oberholser (US)

1851: David Toms (US) v Aaron Baddeley (Aus)