You can never call Tiger Woods a lightweight on the golf course, but he is five pounds lighter after he suffered a fever for three days earlier this week.

The top seed will face No 64 Stephen Ames in the first round of the US$7.5 million World Match Play here Wednesday at the La Costa Resort and Spa.

It will be an interesting day for Woods because Ames, born in Trinidad and now a Canadian citizen, criticized Woods in an interview with the Calgary Herald, describing him "spoiled" and claimed that Woods was not the straightest driver in the world.

"Anything can happen, especially when he's hitting the ball," said Ames, who slipped into the 64-player event after three players, including Sergio Garcia, declined to play.

These words might motivate Woods to set the record straight with Ames. But he is pulling out of a fever that he says took five pounds off him.

"I'm not quite (100 percent) yet, but good enough," Woods said. "I had a fever for three days, didn't touch a club, didn't do anything. I tried to get my energy back up. Five pounds is a lot for me, so it's going to take a long time to put it back on."

Woods, who in six appearances has won this event twice and runner-up once, was diplomatic about Ames' latest comment.

"Stephen is very straight, very patient and it's going to be a good match," he said.

Ames also said this is the only tournament on the PGA Tour that is more exciting on the first day than the last.

Thirty-two players will go home Wednesday night, and if past form is any guide, some of the biggest names will be among them.

Among the interesting first round match ups is defending champion David Toms who will face Englishman Ian Poulter.

Toms was brilliant last year, particularly in the 36-hole final, where he used magnificent iron play to set up an emphatic 6 and 5 victory over Chris DiMarco. Toms and Poulter met in the semi-final.

"We had a tough match and I had to play extremely well to win," said Toms, who is delighted the course is firmer this year.

Poulter said: "David played unbelievably well last year, so I'll give him a bit of the same back. You've got to beat the best to win this tournament, so what difference does it make if it's the first round or the semi-finals?"

Source: China Daily