Accenture Match Play 2012 Results: Bracket Updates, Highlights and More

Sixty-four of the world's best golfers were seeded in four brackets and went head-to-head in a match-play elimination battle. 

Update: Sunday, Feb. 26 at 5:50 p.m. ET

Hunter Mahan is the 2012 WGC Accenture Match Play champion. He took down Rory McIlroy two and one to claim his second title in this event. 

Rory fell behind early, and while he made a charge, he could never close the gap. 

Earlier in the day, McIlroy defeated Lee Westwood, three and one, in a battle of No. 1 seeds to get to the finals.

Mahan took down Mark Wilson two and one in the other semifinal. 

Consider this an opportunity missed for McIlroy and Westwood. Had either won the tournament, they would have been the No. 1 player in the world. 

Update: Saturday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. ET

Hunter Mahan and Mark Wilson are set to go head-to-head in the semifanls, but no one is going to notice.

That is due to No. 1 seeds Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood going head-to-head in the other semifinals match. 

Both players looked dominant on Saturday. Both players won three and two. Westwood defeated Martin Laird, and McIlroy took down Bae Sang-moon.

Now they will battle each other with a right to go to the finals, and both will know that if they can win the tournament they will be the new No. 1 player in the world. This promises to be an excellent and well-played match.  

In the other matches, Mahan beat Matt Kuchar six and five, while Wilson beat Peter Hanson five and three. 

Update: Friday, Feb. 24 at 9:32 p.m. ET

Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, ranked No. 2 and 3 respectively in the world golf rankings, won their third round matches on Friday to continue their pursuit of the top ranking. If both golfers keep winning they would meet each other in one semifinal.

McIlroy defeated Miguel Angel Jimenez 3 and 1 on Friday, while Westwood defeated young star Nick Watney 3 and 2.

For the second straight season, Mark Wilson has sent Dustin Johnson home, winning 4 and 3 to advance to Saturday's quarterfinal.

Sang-moon Bae of Korea is the sensational underdog story of the tournament and advanced to the quarterfinal on Friday. The 25-year-old is playing very well against the game's best players and is showing great composure.

Update: Thursday, Feb 23 at 6:30 p.m. ET

Thursday was another roller coaster of match play from Accenture. There is no better tournament to see golfers flame out in an instant.

Even a cold streak of putting from a legend can cost a perfectly good weekend as we will see.

Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy will guarantee that we have some star-studded intrigue headed into the weekend, but the big story is, of course, Tiger Woods.

Three No. 1 seeds are still alive, but the biggest name in the sport has been ousted in Arizona.

Woods had a few tremendous shots off the tee but he had a cold putter that served to do him in the end as he missed a six-foot putt to end his tenure at Accenture match play.

We are forever looking for the classic Tiger to show up, hoping the next tournament would be the one where he puts it all together.

It will not be this tourney, as Woods came in the underdog and showed why he is no longer the best in the game.

You can view a recap of all the Tiger Woods' action here.

Update: Wednesday, Feb 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET

It was a day of upsets in Arizona. There were 15 of them, and that is the second most on the first day in the history of this event. 

At the top of the upset pile was Ernie Els taking down No. 1 seed Luke Donald (read more on that upset below).

The other three No. 1s survived with Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy all advancing. McIlroy's advancement did not come without his share of drama. 

McIlroy led George Coetzee by three with three holes left, and he wasn't able to close the deal until the 18th. 

Tiger Woods was not among those that were upset. He squeaked out a victory on the 18th hole in his match against Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. 

It was an exciting day of golf, and it wasn't all about the upsets. There was some spectacular shot making like these two gems. 

You can view a recap of all the day's matchups here. 

Update: Wednesday, Feb 22 at 6:53 p.m. ET

No. 1 seed, and world No. 1, Luke Donald has been ousted in the first round of play. He is just the third No. 1 seed to suffer that dubious accomplishment. 

Donald was dominated in his match by Ernie Els, and lost five and four. This was a shocking turn considering Donald won the match last year after having never trailed, or having a single match progress to the 18th hole. 

Meanwhile, former world No. 1 Tiger Woods prevailed on the 18th hole after an up and down match with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. Woods was two down after two holes in that match. 

This is a top-notch field, and most of the world's best golfers are teeing it up for this event. Tiger Woods will try to keep his solid play going, and he is seeded No. 5 in the Sam Snead bracket that has Lee Westwood at the top. 

Woods will certainly get his share of attention in this event, but he certainly isn't one of the favorites. 

That honor has to go to Luke Donald. Not only is he the world's No. 1, but he is also the defending champion.

Donald dominated this event last year. He didn't even have on match go to the 18th hole while winning this event last year. 

We'll be updating this page with highlights, updates and stories as this event rolls along. So be sure to check back. 

In the meantime, check out some of the highlights from last year.