( CNN ) -- When Nike signed a multi-million dollar deal to add Rory McIlroy to their ranks they must have salivated at the thought of the world 's top player going head-to-head with stablemate Tiger Woods . Imagine the marketing potential of their twin titans battling it out down the stretch at major championships for years to come , bedecked , of course , in Nike gear . That dream may well be realized in time , and Woods at least has one title to his name this year , but at the most high-profile tournament of 2013 to date both crashed and burned at the first hurdle . World No . 1 McIlroy was eliminated in the first round of the World Match Play Championship by Ireland 's Shane Lowry in Arizona , to add to his missed cut at his only other appearance this year , in Abu Dhabi . Woods , the world No . 2 , did n't fare any better , losing to Charles Howell III . The other two top seeds , South Africa 's Louis Oosthuizen and England 's Luke Donald , the world No . 3 , went safely through to round two . McIlroy squandered early chances against Lowry , who came to life on the back nine , chipping in for birdie at 11 and 12 before an eagle at 13 put him in the driving seat . The Northern Irishman won 16 to reduce the deficit to one shot but Lowry , ranked 68 , held firm to sink a four-foot putt at the last to claim a famous triumph . `` I did n't make enough birdies in the end , '' McIlroy told the PGA Tour 's official website . `` Shane had a nice little stretch around part of the back nine . I hung in there , but I just did n't do enough . '' `` Deep down I knew I could beat him , '' a jubilant Lowry said . `` I 'm not here for no reason . I 'm not here to make up the numbers . `` I said to Darren , my caddie , walking down 11 or 12 , 'He 's not liking this one bit . He 's the one under pressure , I 've got nothing to lose , so let 's have a go from here . ' `` I 'm feeling quite good now , but it 's important not to get too high now because it 's only the first round , and I 've got another match tomorrow . '' Heavy snow curtailed the first day and delayed the start on Thursday as the course was prepared for play . And in fading light , Woods and Howell decided to continue playing in near gloom to reach a conclusion . Woods squared the game on 13 but Howell birdied the 15th and 16th to go two up , wrapping the match up on the 17th . Woods was naturally disappointed in defeat but was pleased with his performance . `` I played well , I really did , '' Woods said . `` I hit a lot of good shots out there . `` It 's the nature of the format . You 've just got to beat the guy you 're playing against , and I did n't do that today . Chucky won the match . '' Elsewhere , defending champion Hunter Mahan moved into the second round after a comprehensive 5 & 4 victory over Matteo Manassero . Donald , the 2011 champion , fought hard to beat Germany 's Marcel Siem on the final hole while fellow Englishman , and European Ryder Cup hero , Ian Poulter beat Stephen Gallacher 2 & 1 . Graeme McDowell edged a close game with Padraig Harrington , Jim Furyk defeated Ryan Moore while 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson and 2012 U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson moved into round two . There were other high-profile departures in the form of 2011 U.S. PGA champion Keegan Bradley , Lee Westwood and 2012 British Open winner Ernie Els .
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy both lose in first round of Match Play Championship . World 's top two players fall at the first hurdle in Arizona to players outside the top 60 . McIlroy is beaten by Ireland 's Shane Lowry while Charles Howell III defeats Woods . Defending champ Hunter Mahan through but Keegan Bradley and Dustin Johnson are out .