ACCENTURE MATCH PLAY RELATED STORIES Accenture Match Play Championship Home Page Accenture Match Play Championship Preview Round 1: Tiger Woods romps to record victory Round 1: Verplank beats Westwood in marathon Round 1: Bernhard Langer shocks Ernie Els Round 1: Scott glad to make it through first round Round 2: Top names battle through Round 2: Tiger Woods just edges out Allenby Round 2: Chris DiMarco upbeat after victory Round 2: Europeans find different ways to win Round 3: Big names fall on Friday Round 4: Love & Ogilvy to meet in Final Round 4: Davis Love III wins with eagle on 18th Round 4: Zach Johnson first to reach semi-finals Round 4: Tom Lehman continues Ryder Cup push Round 4: Geoff Ogilvy fortunate to reach final two Round 5: Geoff Ogilvy beats Davis Love 3 & 2 Round 5: Love takes positives from final defeat Round 5: Geoff Ogilvy reflects on 129 hole victory Course Guide: La Costa Accenture Match Play Championship Scores Recovered Tiger set for Match Play Rested Retief Goosen returns to PGA Tour Match Play highlights international growth Ames draws Tiger in revised Match Play draw Ernie Els seeking Match Play improvement Bjorn out of Match Play Championship Draw for Match Play Championship decided Garcia to skip Match Play Championship 2006 PGA Tour Schedule GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Padraig Harrington hungry for more success Michelle Wie to play on PGA Tour again IGF forms 2016 Olympic Committee Greg Norman proud of achievement Ian Poulter impressive with second place Henrik Stenson happy with his best ever finish GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Golf Breaks to Portugal & Ireland Half Price Golf Vouchers InstructaCard - your portable pro! The Father & Son Golf Ch'ship Golf Insurance

Bernhard Langer shocks Ernie Els

Bernhard Langer produced the biggest upset in the opening round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship with a one-up victory over Ernie Els on Wednesday.

Although world number four Els is no fan of the par-72 layout at La Costa Resort and Spa and had missed the event the previous two years, the 48-year-old Langer was a clear underdog.

The experienced German went ahead with a birdie at the par-four first, however, and effectively clinched a tight contest when he picked up his fourth shot at the par-four 17th.

"I knew I had to play well to have any hope or chance to get a victory," a smiling Langer told reporters after winning his first match at La Costa since 1999.

"And I played fairly well. I only made one bogey, when I misread a putt. Otherwise I made a number of birdies and played strong coming in, which was encouraging for me."

South African Els had his own opportunities and led by one after 12 holes. Overall, though, his long game let him down.

"Ernie is very tough in match play and he's won the World Match Play over in Wentworth, London, many, many times," added Langer, who is world-ranked 61st. "And I could see why, today.

"His long game might not have been 100 percent, but his short game was awesome. He had a lot of great up-and-downs and made numerous putts from eight to 15 feet.

"He never gives up, he fights until the very end.

"Obviously I'm thrilled to be here tomorrow," added the 2004 European Ryder Cup captain, who will face Canada's Mike Weir in the second round.

"I was by far the underdog, I would think, playing against the number four in the world right now."

Well though he played against Els, Langer said he was under no pressure.

"I'm not here to prove anything," added the former world number one. "I've been out on tour for 30 years. I beat Vijay (Singh) here a few years ago (in 1999) when he was highly favoured.

"Anything is possible in match play. When you have the top 65 in the world, there's going to be underdogs and favourites, but you still have to play well.

"All these guys are great players," added Langer, who won the U.S. Masters in 1985 and 1993. "You not here if you can't play this game.

"Everybody can play great. Sometimes you lose with a 66 and sometimes you win with a 69 or 70. It just depends on how your opponent does on a given day."