Tiger Woods's first PGA Tour appearance in eight months came to a shuddering halt when he was upset 4&2 by South African Tim Clark at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship on Thursday.

The American world number one, back in action after injury for the first time since winning the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, squandered an early one-hole lead before losing the second-round match on the 16th green.

Woods, the defending champion, went one up with a birdie at the second before being overhauled as world number 33 Clark rattled up four birdies in six holes around the turn.

Clark, who was hammered 5&4 by Woods in the second round two years ago, sealed victory with a conceded birdie at the 16th.