Fernandez-Castano likes chances against Tiger

• By Randall Mell
• Feb 20, 2012 7:31 PM ET

MARANA, Ariz. – Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano won’t have much trouble remembering whom he played in his first WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

He meets Tiger Woods in Wednesday’s first round at Ritz Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain.

“I’m the underdog,” said Fernandez-Castano, a five-time European Tour winner ranked 48th in the world. “I have nothing to lose, and at the same time, I don’t think he’s at his best, so it’s a good opportunity . . . I think he’s beatable. Of course, I need to play good.”

Fernandez-Castano lavished praise on Woods’ record, and his match-play prowess, and while he believes Woods will win a major again, he isn’t sure if he will reach Jack Nicklaus’ major championship record.

“What I’m sure about is he’s not going to be as dominant as what he used to be,” Fernandez-Castano said. “I think there are a lot of young guys, like Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Rickie Fowler, guys that have beaten him. They know the feeling of beating Tiger.

“He might be the No. 1 player again. He might win majors again, but I don’t think he will be as dominant as he was, like in 2000 and those times. Maybe I’m wrong, anything is possible with that guy, he’s so good."