Quieter Dove Mountain without Tiger Woods - Accenture Match Play Championship 2009

Tiger Woods’s early departure from this week’s WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship was reflected by a relatively subdued atmosphere for Friday’s third round at Dove Mountain.

World number one and defending champion Woods, the biggest drawcard in the game, was surprisingly beaten 4&2 by South African Tim Clark on Thursday, sparking an immediate drop in attendance figures.

According to the PGA Tour, 11,130 fans swarmed across the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club layout on Friday, compared to 12,500 for the third round in 2008 when Woods was on his way to a third victory at the event.

“It was a little quieter today, obviously,” Ernie Els told reporters after reaching the last eight following a concession by Britain’s Luke Donald, who opted not to play the 18th hole because of a sore wrist.

“Tiger’s the big drawcard and with him coming back he’s always going to bring even more people in here,” added the South African, referring to the return of Woods to the Tour after eight months on the sidelines due to a knee injury.

“So yeah, it was definitely a little bit quieter. And obviously the crowds would like to see more Americans play, so it is what it is. It’s a match play event.”

Five Americans reached Friday’s third round, with three advancing to the quarter-finals.

Although the spectators were fairly evenly spread across the eight matches, the biggest gallery followed the contest between Tiger-tamer Clark and British teenager Rory McIlroy.

“We probably had a few more people watching us than if Tiger was playing,” McIlroy said after outplaying Clark 4&3.

“The tournament probably has lost a little bit of its buzz because he brings so many people to the course, but it’s still a great event. There were still a lot of people out there showing support.”

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