Holmes aims to learn from the master in Tiger match-up

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Big-hitting American J.B. Holmes plans to learn as much as he can when he takes on Tiger Woods in the opening round of this week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona.

Holmes has not previously played with the world number one and knows he needs to make the most of his own prodigious length off the tee if he is to pull off an upset win.

"I'm just happy to be here," the 25-year-old from Kentucky told reporters at Dove Mountain's Gallery Golf Club on Monday.

"Any time you get a chance to play against the best player in the world, you have to be doing pretty good to even have that opportunity.

"I'm just excited to be able to go out and see what I can do. I've never got to see him up close and watch him play, and maybe compare a little bit and see what I need to improve on."

The former Walker Cup amateur earned his spot in the elite 64-man draw when fellow American Bret Wetterich withdrew because of a shoulder injury.

Holmes had rocketed from 197th in the world rankings to 65th after winning the Phoenix Open on February 3 in a playoff with Phil Mickelson.

POWER HITTING

His power hitting helped him clinch his second PGA Tour title and he should relish the wide fairways on the 7,466-yard layout.