Donald is latest scalp at WGC Match Play

MARANA - Luke Donald became the latest high-profile scalp at the WGC Match Play in Arizona as the third seed was comprehensively beaten by Scott Piercy.

Saturday, February 23, 2013
Donald was favourite to land the title following shock first-round defeats for McIlroy and Woods. Net photo.

WGC Match Play winners2012: Hunter Mahan2011: Luke Donald2010: Ian Poulter2009: Geoff Ogilvy2008: Tiger Woods2007: Henrik Stenson2006: Geoff OgilvyMARANA - Luke Donald became the latest high-profile scalp at the WGC Match Play in Arizona as the third seed was comprehensively beaten by Scott Piercy.Donald was favourite to land the title following shock first-round defeats for Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.But he lost 7&6 to world number 37 Piercy who went to the turn six under par having sunk a four-iron for an eagle two at the fifth. Masters champion Bubba Watson is the only top-10 seed remaining."Scott played very well, I played just very average,” Donald said. "I need to drive it well around this course. There’s a few forced carries out there and probably I didn’t drive it well enough to put any pressure on Scott.Fifth seed Justin Rose is also out after losing 3&2 to Ryder Cup colleague Nicolas Colsaerts, who will next face Amercian Matt Kuchar.Ian Poulter, who won the event three years ago, advanced after an impressive 3&1 success over Bo Van Pelt. The Englishman is playing in his first event for six weeks but is clearly in good form after following up his victory over Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher in the opening round.Irishman Shane Lowry, who knocked out world number one McIlroy, beat Swede Carl Pettersson 6&5 to become the first number 64 seed to reach the last 16.Two rounds were scheduled to take place on Saturday to make up for lost time caused by freak snowstorms that delayed the start of the competition.