Stenson out with flu, Crane advances

MARANA, Ariz. -- Henrik Stenson, who won the '07 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship when he beat the current defender, Geoff Ogilvy, 2 and 1, was forced to withdraw from his first round match against Ben Crane with the flu. Stenson had such a high fever on Tuesday he never came to the golf course and was still suffering the effects in the opening match. He and Crane played one hole, which meant Stenson technically conceded the match rather than withdrawing.

UPDATE: "Flu or virus or something like that," Stenson said afterward. "I was just sleeping and drinking and staying in bed with fever all day yesterday. I might make it back now, I've got two weeks off. I'm expecting a baby in a week's time. Make it back to the baby and hopefully not give them the flu and be back for the birth."

Crane played on for nine holes, then settled in for an early lunch. "He told me he was not going to play," said Crane. "He just was so sick."

-- Jim Moriarty