Jones, the lowest-ranked player in the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, meets number one seed Woods in the first round of the $8.5m knockout competition as the 14-time major champion returns to action for the first time since winning the US Open at Torrey Pines last June.
Woods called it quits on his 2008 campaign after revealing he had played at Torrey Pines with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and a double stress fracture of the tibia below it.
Now, eight months after reconstructive surgery on the knee, he will once again resume his role as the centre of attention in golf, with Australia’s Jones handed the best view.
“It’s a chance of a lifetime, really,” said Jones, a regular on the Japanese Tour who is making his first start of the year.
“I’m excited, I’m nervous, I’m just really, really happy to have made the 64 for a start, because I’ve been watching the rankings since the end of the year and because I haven’t played anywhere I’ve been sliding and sliding.
“I was just hanging in there week after week and when Pebble Beach was washed out (two weeks ago) I thought there would be a chance to get into the 64th position. I think it’s a pretty lucky spot.”
Having learned he was in the tournament as the world number 64, Jones was then told the news last Thursday that Woods was going to be in the field.
“Tiger came out and said that he was going to play and I was overjoyed,” Jones said. “It’s the chance to play probably the best player of my generation.
“I’m very, very excited to have that opportunity for one of the most anticipated comebacks in any sport. And to have a front row seat to all of it is a great honour.”
Jones revealed he had received some special advice about dealing with Woods.
“My friends have all said, ’you can beat him, you can beat him’,” he added.
“It’s a different format, matchplay’s a funny game, anything can happen.”
Meanwhile, Justin Rose has become a father just before the start of the Match Play Championship.
Rose’s late arrival in Tucson, where he plays American Boo Weekley in the first round tomorrow, was explained by the fact that he and his wife Kate had an early arrival on Saturday.
A baby boy they have named Leo was born a week ahead of schedule and, conveniently for the 28-year-old, it was while he was on a week off and at their home in Florida.
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