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Golf Monthly
Golf Monthly
Sport
Thomas Patrick Clarke

WGC Dell Technologies Match Play Leaderboard OLD DONT UPDATE

WGC Tiger Woods Scottie Scheffler United States Rory McIlroy Jason Day Kevin Kisner Matt Kuchar Stephen Ames Aus
(Image credit: Getty Images)

It's been a huge day of action at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, with seven of the top-ten seeds advancing to the next round. Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa all booked their places for a tee-off time for Saturday, while the talk of the day was Kurt Kitayama's epic win, defeating Tony Finau and Adrian Meronk in a three-way playoff. 

Some big names have now exited the tournament, including Tyrrell Hatton who lost all three of his matches this week, while Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland both failed to secure a berth in the last 16. Will Zalatoris withdrew earlier this morning with an illness and Hideki Matsuyama also pulled out with a neck injury, sending Max Homa through to the next round. 

Today's top talking point was the three-way playoff that saw Kurt Kitayama defeat both Tony Finau and Adrian Meronk to buy his place in the final 16. Finau crashed out after the first hole, following a wayward drive and a poor approach shot, while Kitayama held his nerve with a stunning 15-foot putt to edge Meronk. 

Meanwhile, Jon Rahm crashed out on Friday with Billy Horschel beating the world No 2 failing to get his game into gear on Friday following a double bogey on the second, before finding the water on the 11th. Horschel's win means Rickie Fowler, who defeated Ketih Mitchell, will not be able to advance out of the group and therefore will not have earned enough points to qualify for the Masters.  

So we're all set for a big day of action on Saturday, with the matchups for the next round now locked-in! We're licking our lips at some of the games taking place, with Rory McIlroy's game against Lucas Herbert set to be a real showing of power that you will not want to miss!

WGC Dell Technologies Match Play Day 3 Tee Times (CDT)

  • Winners are in bold followed by the score
  • K.H. Lee vs Nick Taylor 3&2
  • Adam Svensson vs Victor Perez 5&4
  • Viktor Hovland vs Chris Kirk 4&3
  • Denny McCarthy vs Scott Stallings 1up
  • Jordan Spieth vs Shane Lowry 2&1
  • Taylor Montgomery vs Mackenzie Hughes 6&4
  • Max Homa vs Hideki Matsuyama walkover
  • Kevin Kisner vs Justin Suh 2up
  • Sam Burns vs Seamus Power 2up
  • Adam Scott vs Adam Hadwin 3&2
  • Patrick Cantlay vs Brian Harman 2&1
  • Collin Morikawa vs Jason Day 4&3
  • Si Woo Kim vs Matt Kuchar 7&6
  • Sungjae Im vs Tommy Fleetwood 4&3
  •  J.T. Poston vs Maverick McNealy 3&1
  • Scottie Scheffler vs Tom Kim 3up
  • Alex Noren vs Davis Riley Tied
  • Matt Fitzpatrick vs Sahith Theegala 2&1
  • Min Woo Lee vs J.J. Spaun 2&1
  • Xander Schauffele vs Tom Hoge 1up
  • 11.40am Aaron Wise vs Cam Davis 1up
  • 11.51am Tyrrell Hatton vs Russell Henley 3&2
  • 12.02pm Lucas Herbert vs Ben Griffin 3&1
  • 12.13pm Rory McIlroy vs Keegan Bradley 3&2
  • 12.24pm Tony Finau vs Kurt Kitayama 4&3
  • 12.35pm Adrian Meronk vs Christiaan Bezuidenhout 5&4
  • 12.46pm Will Zalatoris vs Ryan Fox walkover
  • 12.57pm Harris English vs Andrew Putnam 4&3
  • 1.08pm Cameron Young vs Sep Straka 5&3
  • 1.19pm Corey Conners vs Davis Thompson 2&1
  • 1.30pm Jon Rahm vs Billy Horschel 5&4
  • 1.41pm Keith Mitchell vs Rickie Fowler

SATURDAY'S ROUND OF 16 MATCHES

- Scottie Scheffler (1) vs J.T. Poston (43)

- Matt Kuchar (59) vs Jason Day (32)

- Patrick Cantlay (4) vs Sam Burns (13)

- Max Homa (5) vs Mackenzie Hughes (50)

- Billy Horschel (22) vs Cameron Young (15)

- Andrew Putnam (56) vs Kurt Kitayama (19)

- Rory McIlroy (3) vs Lucas Herbert (46)

- Xander Schauffele (6) vs J.J. Spaun (61)

*Numbers indicate ranking positions.

It's the final WGC Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club

Day 1 of the Matchplay 

Not long now until we get underway. Feels very much like the first round of the World Cup. All the big guns are here as well as the 'minnows', but who will be around at the business end of the tournament? 

Defending champion off at 7.50pm GMT

(Image credit: Getty Images)

World number one Scottie Scheffler returns as defending champion and will be looking to join Tiger Woods as the only player to win successive editions of the WGC Match Play. He beat Kevin Kisner in the final last year. Scheffler tees off at 7.50pm GMT against Davis Riley. 

NO TIGER THIS WEEK, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS THIS 

Let's take a trip down memory lane: Woods v Ames, 2006. Oh, Stephen... no, no, no, no, no. 

WHO WILL WIN THE 2023 WGC-DELL TECHNOLOGIES MATCH PLAY?

Here's your comprehensive WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play betting guide. Personally, I like the look of Kurt Kitayama (40s) and Justin Suh (50s). 

WHAT OF RORY'S CHANCES?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

McIlroy was a little out of sorts at The Players. However, he's been reported to have enjoyed some productive practice rounds at Augusta National recently. The Northern Irishman is off at 3.26pm GMT against Scott Stallings. McIlroy, 33, has three WGC victories to his name.  

name the past winners 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Give yourself a pat on the back if you got them all right. They are as follows:

1999: Jeff Maggert (USA)
2000: Darren Clarke (NIR)
2001: Steve Stricker (USA)
2002: Kevin Sutherland (USA)
2003: Tiger Woods (USA)
2004: Tiger Woods (USA)
2005: David Toms (USA)
2006: Geoff Ogilvy (AUS)
2007: Henrik Stenson (SWE)
2008: Tiger Woods (USA)
2009: Geoff Ogilvy (AUS)
2010: Ian Poulter (ENG)
2011: Luke Donald (ENG)
2012: Hunter Mahan (USA)
2013: Matt Kuchar (USA)
2014: Jason Day (AUS)
2015: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
2016: Jason Day (AUS)
2017: Dustin Johnson (USA)
2018: Bubba Watson (USA)
2019: Kevin Kisner (USA)
2021: Billy Horschel (USA)
2022: Scottie Scheffler (USA)

INELIGIBLE PLAYERS 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A reminder of those players who we won't see in action at the Match Play in Austin this week, due to PGA Tour suspension. The players and their world ranking are as follows:

Cameron Smith (5)
Joaquín Niemann (26)
Abraham Ancer (30)
Thomas Pieters (42)
Talor Gooch (49)
Mito Pereira (50)
Harold Varner III (51)
Dustin Johnson (62)
Patrick Reed (65)
Dean Burmester (71)
Jason Kokrak (74)

THE DRAW 

A match play feast, people. We're about to enjoy five days of a format that rarely fails to entertain. 

How the draw works 

The top 16 players were each top seed in their respective groups, with players ranked 17-32, 33-48 and 49-64 then drawn at random to complete the four-player groups.

One eye on the masters 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

There are some big names set to be missing from the field at the 2023 Masters. This week is the last tournament for players to qualify for The Masters without winning a PGA Tour event, with the top 50 in the Official Golf World Ranking following the event securing an invite.

Rickie Fowler, a former runner-up at Augusta, will have an army of fans cheering him on. However, the colorful American needs a quarter-final finish or better to earn an invite to the opening Major Championship of the year.

For the likes of Lucas Herbert, Min Woo Lee, Adam Hadwin, Victor Perez, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Matt Kuchar, there remains one last chance to book a last-minute spot at Augusta should they not do so this week - victory at the Valero Texas Open.

Good luck, gents. 

A new world number one? Not this week...

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Let's be honest, it's hard to keep up with who's the current top dog. To confirm, it's currently Scottie Scheffler. Even with a win, Jon Rahm will be unable to replace the American as world number one. Not sure that will concern him too much right now. 'Rambo' surely has eyes on a Green Jacket. World number one? Been there, done that.  

The gates are open! 

Not long now until we see US Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick smoke one down the first. He's up against J.J. Spaun. 

Live action fast approaching 

Sky Sports (UK) will begin its coverage at 2.15pm. It's Wednesday and we have live golf. This is a rare beast - enjoy it. Put a couple of 'Zoom calls' in your diary and go put the kettle on. 

more classic Tiger

We make no apologies for sharing this video... again. The club golfer simply does not pull this shot off. We miss it, hit it twice, knock it deeper into the bush, pick it up, throw it, swear. Basically, the ball doesn't come out. It certainly doesn't go on the green. 

Tiger is in the house 

The 'Polish Tiger' that is. It's what they call him - he told us so a couple of years back. Good to see the career of Adrian Meronk shaping up so nicely. 

Final bets please

As they say in horse racing, not one to get involved with too heavily - that's my opinion. Soooo many possibilities. Anyway, a little story. I have a friend (Dr Tom) who doesn't play golf. He knows who Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods are, but that's about it. He enjoys a little flutter from time to time. Last year - and really just because I was having a punt - he picks Brian Harman for The Open, picks up very good each way cash. At the Players just gone, he picks up again on Justin Suh after I mock him for wasting his money. I'm more than a little annoyed by this when I know I should really be happy for him. So, I've asked him who's winning this week. He can't tell me as he's currently in surgery. I just know he's backed David Thompson at 250/1. Anyway, time for some proper live reporting...

We're off

Ed Clements, a man with an awesome grey goatee, tells Fitzpatrick to get us going... and he duly obliges. 

Fitz long on one

Wow. An early treat to see how the Tour pro chips up a mountain to a front pin position. Personally, I'm conceding the hole and going straight to the second tee so not to have the negative image of a ball coming back to my feet lingering in my head. 

Hole halved 

Fitz plays an exquisite pitch into the bank from 18 yards to stop it 8ft away - and escapes with no damage done. A/S. That was an impressive shot, it really was. One hole in and we're already seeing the beauty of match play. Fitz was first in and left Spaun a two-footer, but the American took care of it.

Up now, M.W. Lee and Theegala... we'll bring you live updates throughout the day. 

today's notable matches 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy vs Scott Stallings
Jon Rahm vs Rickie Fowler
Jordan Spieth vs Mackenzie Hughes
Viktor Hovland vs Matt Kuchar
Scottie Scheffler vs Davis Riley

Is There That Journalistic Cliché, A Group Of Death?

The groups, or pods, are designed to be of equal ability, or equal-ish anyway. Groups are named 1 to 16, with Group 1 having the no. 1 seed, group 2, the 2nd seed and so on. The other three players are then drawn into the groups, one each from seeds 17-32; 33-48 and 49 to 64.

But the drawn seems to have left Group 1 as the toughest Group 1, poor reward for being the No. 1 seed. If you aggregate all the seed numbers of each quartet, Group 1 has the lowest total, and Group 2 comes second. Even if you exclude the lead players from each group, so as to calculate who the top-seeded player in each group has to overcome to progress. Groups 1 and 2 are still the hardest.

The easiest group on both criteria is Group 14, which comprises Tyrrell Hatton (14), Russell Henley (31) Lucas Herbert (46) and Ben Griffin (62). Hatton has just started his match against Griffin, with Henley and Herbert following them down the course.

Fitzpatrick Spectacularly Wide Of Green On 175-yard 4th Hole

Your Sunday afternoon hacker would not expect to end up where Fitz did, which was waaaaayyyyyyyyyy off target and deep in then undergrowth. But neither would your Sunday afternoon hacker chip out from there onto the green. An amazing shot. But his putt misses and so he goes 2 down against Spaun.

What Are The Odds On A Scheffler Versus Rahm Final?

On the face of it, pretty slim. Never in the previous 23 editions of this event has the final been contested by the top two seeds. The nearest we have come to it was in 2004 when Tiger Woods beat 3rd seed Davis Love III 3 and 2.

Five times has the No. 1 seed won the WGC Match Play; once he has been runner up. The 2nd seed has won it once and been runner up twice.

Spaun On Top

The only match which is not either tied or 1 up is the Spaun versus Fitzpatrick one, where Spaun is 3 up through 5. But Spaun has just hit a wayward drive on 6.

Wise Wide

Aaron Wise has gone into the same cabbage on the par-3 4th  as Fitzpatrick found, Wise currently 1 up on Tom Hoge.

Hatton Goes From Hazard to Hazard on 3rd hole

Griffin goes 1 up.

Xander Schauffele  Makes Birdie But Loses Hole

Cam Davis, the lowest ranked player in this event, chips in for an eagle on the par-4 5th. Schauffele 1 up.

When Is A Tie Declared A Tie?

All group matches only go to a maximum of 18 holes. If a match is tied after 18 holes, half a point is given to each player. But in the knockout phase matches tied after 18 go to sudden death.

Rory In Rough

On first three holes, Rory McIlroy has hit his drive into the rough on the right. He won the first hole, tied the 2nd. Scott Stallings is his opponent.

That Eagle Chip By Cam Davis

Lower Seeds Struggling

Of the eight matches where there is currently a lead, six times it is held by the higher ranked player.

On To The Back Nine

The opening match has now reached the 10th tee, where  JJ Spaun is 1 up on Matt Fitzpatrick

Denny McCarthy Wins Opening Three Holes

The number 48 seed is playing 20th seed Keegan Bradley.

Xander Schauffele Has Made Six Birdies On Front Nine

Got to feel sorry for his opponent, Cam Davis, who is not playing badly at all - he is two under par. But this match looks to be going only one way. Schauffele 4 up heading to the 10th tee.

Key Players

The letter which comes between J and L on the keyboard, and indeed the alphabet, has decided to withdraw its labours on my laptop. So updates on how Kurt Kitayama is doing against Adrian Meronk may be sparse. (Fortunately Dan will have taken over this live blog by the time Viktor Hovland tees it up against Matt Kuchar, followed immediately by Chris Kirk versus Si Woo Kim.) But Adrian M is 1 up through 5.

That Recovery By Fitzpatrick On 4th Hole

Jon Rahm Wins Opening Hole

The second seed makes par on the 403-yard hole, but Rickie Fowler makes bogey,

JJ Spaun Eagles 13

Holing from 107 yards out on the 428-yard hole further extends the number 62 seed's lead against Matt Fitzpatrick. He is now 4 up with 5 to play. 

Risk/Reward Golf

If I had a drink every time a commentator mentions risk/reward golf... well I would not now be capable of typing anything. Unsure  what the commentators are going on about? If so, here's our handy guide to risk/reward golf.

JJ Spaun wins by 5&3

The 61st seed brings down the 11th seed. The 32-year old Californian made five birdies and an eagle. Fitzpatrick won only one hole, when he eagled the par-5 5th.

Sahith Theegala And Min Woo Lee Tied Through 14

An entertainingly erratic set of scores from Min Woo Lee -  four birdies, two eagles, two double bogeys. The steadier Theegala has six birdies and two bogeys.

Schaufelle wins 4&3

Cam Davis goes down 4&3 to an imperious Xander Schaufelle. Xander's been slightly out of form so far this year, could he kickstart his 2023 season with a big win this week?

McIlroy's new flatstick

(Image credit: Getty Images)

I've got a keen eye on how McIlroy putts today considering he's got a new putter in the bag. Out of his bag goes the TaylorMade Spider X and into the bag is a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 putter. He's currently 2up on Scott Stallings. 

New shaft, who dis?

Speaking of new equipment in Rory's bag, he's got a new shaft in his TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver - pictures have shown its a Fujikura Ventus TR Blue. He's just hit his drive on the par-4 13th to about 30ft, so all appears a little better on the equipment front. 

Fowler hanging on

I'm not sure many would want to play Jon Rahm in his current form, but that's the task of Rickie Fowler today. After a quick start from the Spaniard, Fowler has been able to hang on to his coattails and is only 2 down. Fowler's been in some great form of his own this year, so I wouldn't put it past him to take this match deep now he's settled into his work. 

Theegala and Lee going deep

The match farthest out on course at the moment is the group 11 match of Sahith Theegala vs Min Woo Lee. They're currently on the 17th hole and are all tied up still 

Halved in Twos

And that 17th hole has been halved between Theegala and Lee with both of them making birdie twos. Down the last we go...

Griffin 2up vs Hatton

Ben Griffin has just gone 2up against Tyrrell Hatton. Holes are running out for Tyrrell, who only has three holes to turn this match around

Aaron Wise Dormie

Aaron Wise and Tom Hoge's match is now dormie. Wise is two up with two to play.

Meronk Making Moves

Adrian Meronk has a great opportunity to make an even bigger name for himself this week. He's just gone 1up in his match against Arnold Palmer Invitational winner Kurt Kitayama. 

Min Woo Lee Wins 1up

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What a last two holes from Min Woo Lee! He birdies 17 and 18 to beat Sahith Theegala 1up - superb stuff from the Kiwi. 

Fowler wins one back

You're welcome, Rickie. After I was singing his praises a few minutes ago, Fowler has just won the 8th hole against Jon Rahm to halve the match deficit to just one down. 

Hoge claws one back

Down the last we go in the Wise vs Hoge match. Hoge wins the 17th hole to give himself a chance to win half a point if he can win the 18th...

Hatton Two Down, Two to play

Hatton misses a vital putt on the 16th hole to win the hole. He's now dormie two against Ben Griffin - can the Englishman salvage half a point?

Fowler misses a chance

That should've been two wins in two holes for Rickie! He's missed a guilt-edged chance to win the 9th and his match with Jon Rahm heads to the back nine 1up in Rahm's favor. 

Aaron Wise Wins 1up

The second match of the day to head to the 18th goes in favor of Aaron Wise. He'd been in total control of that match, so deserves a full point for his day's work. 

Griffin Beats Hatton 3&1

What start for Ben Griffin as he takes down the low seeded Englishman with a birdie on the 17th hole. 

Cam Young Shoots 27 on the front

Cam Young has just shot a quite ridiculous 27 on his front nine to lead his match 5up. Indeed, he's made a three on every single hole. Has anyone ever done that before?

It's poor Davis Thompson who is on the receiving end of Young's six birdies and an eagle this afternoon. He will no doubt wonder if he can get anything out of this match...

Fowler wasting chances

Another opportunity goes by for Rickie to level this match against Jon Rahm. I doubt he'll get many more of these as the match wears on.

Bradley fights on

Keegan Bradley is now just two down against Denny McCarthy. That win couldn't have come any sooner for the American, who has just three holes left to turn the match around. 

Herbert and Henley go down the last

Amazing stuff from Russell Henley who makes a birdie two on the 17th to take his match with Lucas Herbert down the last.

Fowler sqaures the match

Now Fowler ties up his game against Jon Rahm. It comes from a mistake from Rahm in the end rather than a piece of magic from Rickie, but I'd say its a fair representation of the match so far that I expect will go deep. 

McIlroy wins 3&1

(Image credit: Getty Images)

He's had Scott Stallings at an arm's length all day today, and the dagger finally comes with a stiffed 9-iron on the penultimate hole. Stallings has no answer and McIlroy starts his week off with a win. 

Herbert wins 1up

A pair of pars down the last mean Lucas Herbert comes out with a win in the group 14 match against Russell Henley. Henley was five down at one point in this match, but couldn't quite steal half a point despite a valiant comeback. 

Cam Young Opens the door

Despite a 27 (yes, 27) on the front nine, Cam Young has just left the door open for Davis Thompson. After losing the 12th hole, he's hit his drive into the water on the drivable 13th. This would be some comeback if Thompson can keep applying the pressure... 

Kitayama and Meronk trading punches

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A great match unfolding here between two mid-seeds. Both exchange birdie threes on the 14th to leave the match tied with four to play. 

Finau and Bezuidenhout dormie two 

We've not seen much of this match so far, but the group 10 match between Tony Finau and Christiaan Bezuidenhout has just gone dormie two in the favor of Finau. 

Fowler Leads Rahm

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What a turnaround this has been from Fowler. After going two down quickly earlier this afternoon, he now leads his match against Jon Rahm 1up after the Spaniard could only make a par on the 12th hole. All still to play for in this intriguing encounter... 

Corey Conners Beats Sepp Straka 6&5

That is quite simply a shellacking of epic proportions. Corey Conners breezes past Austrian Sepp Straka in the battle of the players-representing-nations-whose-flags-only-have-red-and-white. 

McIlroy Happy with new clubs

A new, slightly shorter driver shaft, a new five-wood and a new putter all featured in Rory McIlroy's bag this afternoon. "They all performed pretty well" was his summary after today's 3&1 victory over Scott Stallings. 

Tony Finau wins 2&1

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Nothing more Bezuidenhout could do against Tony Finau, who goes on to win 2&1 to take the first point of group 10. Elsewhere in that group, Kitayama and Meronk are still going toe-to-toe now on the 16th hole. 

Huge comeback sees Bradley and McCarthy tie 

We have our first tie of the day. It comes thanks to a fantastic fightback from Keegan Bradley, who will feel like he's snatched a point off Denny McCarthy who was 4up at one point in the match. 

Young's Lead Cut To Two

Somehow, Davis Thompson is back in this match. Cam Young was 5up through 11 and is now just 2up as the pair head to the 16th tee.

Putnam Beats Zalatoris 3&2

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Another shock this afternoon as Andrew Putnam comfortably sees off Will Zalatoris 3&2. 

Meronk Wins 2up

A great match between Adrian Meronk and Kurt Kitayama comes to an end on the 17th hole after the Pole makes a birdie. He leads group 10 alongside Tony Finau with one win apiece. 

FOX OUTFOXES THE ENGLISH 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

No, it's not a real Fox and it's not the entire English population. It's just Ryan Fox beating Harris English 2&1. 

Cam Young outlasts Thompson 

After his stunning 27 on the front nine, Cam Young wraps up his match against Davis Thompson 3&2. Thompson fought back well against Young's barrage of birdies, but after being five down through 11 holes there was never a real route back. 

Fowler goes Two Up

Fowler misses yet another chance to win a hole but, luckily for him, Rahm misses a short par putt meaning he wins the hole anyway. Fowler is now 2up on the world number two with three holes to play. 

Lowry hanging in there

It's not been vintage Shane this afternoon, but he's just holed two important putts on the 12th and 13th just stay just two down to Taylor Montgomery. 

Here's Jonny! 

Here comes the Jon Rahm fightback! He's gone through the motions for the last hour or two, but that short missed putt on the 15th seems to have fired him up. He's well within eagle range on the 16th hole while Fowler has work to do for his birdie. 

Fowler Shuts the door

Well, well, well. Rahm misses his eagle putt and Fowler holes his 10ft birdie putt. That's dormie two now and Rickie Fowler has guaranteed himself at least half a point now. Great stuff from the 49th seed in group two. 

Spieth Four Up

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jordan Spieth has been in fantastic control of his golf ball today. After an eagle on the 13th, he converts a par on the 14th to go 4 up in his match against Canadian Mackenzie Hughes. 

Hey Rickie, You're so fine

What a performance from Rickie Fowler to beat world number two Jon Rahm 3&1. A quarter-final appearance or better will guarantee Fowler his first Masters appearance in three years, and he's off to a great start. 

Spieth Holes Out To Win

Well, that's one way to win a match. Jordan Spieth takes down Mackenzie Hughes 4&3 after a wicked hole out on the 15th hole. 

Watch: Jordan Spieth's Walk-Off Hole Out 

Scheffler Chips-In to Go Three Up

They're all at it now. Defending champ Scottie Scheffler has just chipped in from in front of the green at the 5th to go 3 up on Davis Riley. 

HIDEKI'S TROUSERS

Much was made of Matsuyama's very precise putting drill at the start of the day but his bright yellow trousers are something else. Will try and get a photo ASAP. After rifling an approach to a couple of feet, his putter lets down and he doesn't even touch the sides...

CASHMERE KEITH

On the flip side of Matsuyama's questionable dress sense, Keith Mitchell is one of the most stylish hombres out there. And he's playing some nice golf this term too. He's one down playing the last against '21 champ Billy Horschel and he's pitched up tight to secure his birdie.

Horschel is out of position off the tee and leaves himself 30 feet for the birdie and the half. Which he leaves short. Match halved.

STRAP YOURSELVES IN

The good news is we've got lots of golf left tonight/today. Tom Kim and Alex Noren were the last players out and have only played five holes (Kim's one up BTW).

LOWRY UP AGAINST IT

Our Portrush hero led early on against Taylor Montgomery but it's been a succession of dribbled putts. He's two down playing the 17th and will need to do something special to sneak a half against the American.

POTTY MOUTHS

It's my solemn duty to report that there has been some unruly language in the last few minutes of the broadcast. First up Spieth said the BS word and then Lowry, who's generally a banker to swear, uttered something unmentionable departing the 17th tee. The good news is he's left himself a makeable putt to keep the match going. 

TAYLOR MADE UP

Lowry hits yet another weak putt and it barely reaches the hole. Game over. Likewise an opening point for Max Homa who sees off Justin Suh 3&2. 

WATCH: DAY COMES CLOSE AT 11

J Day is fast approaching some much better form and he's back at A/S in his match with Adam Svensson.

CACK-HANDED KISNER 

There's nothing like the sight of a tour pro chipping with his hands the wrong way round on the club but Kisner plays a pearler from well short of the 16th green a la Fitzpatrick stylee... Matsuyama matches him and is one up with two to play.

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

It's taken a while but golfing fashion has finally moved on. I'm not sure why there are so many flowers these days in the game but they're a welcome advance from the never-ending greys and blacks of the past few years. Wonder what Rickie's got up his sleeve for the next few days?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

MISFIRING MAVERICK 

McNealy is getting a proper shoeing from Sungjae Im and he'll be shaking hands soon. Im played the first nine holes in 35 and then parred the 10th and that's good enough for a six-hole lead.

GREAT SCOTT

His putter is a very strange looking piece of kit but it works as he rolls in a four-footer to square his match with Seamus Power. The Aussie's been behind since the 3rd but he's now in with a sniff of posting an opening point. 

MY EYES!

Here they are, in all their, er, glory... not sure this pic actually does them justice

(Image credit: Getty Images)

MAT FINISH

Hideki posts an opening point with a two-putt par, Kisner on the losing end for a change in Austin.

POSTON DELIVERS

Not sure that works... Anyway JT is getting the better of Fleetwood with a three-hole lead with just seven holes to play. Fleetwood's putter doesn't look to be firing and he's yet to make a single birdie. 

BIRDIE FEST

Patrick Cantlay has recorded six birdies in his match with Canada's Nick Taylor but he's currently heading to the 18th tee with just a one-hole lead. With the way the 18th shapes up there will likely be at least one more birdie to come.. 

SUNGJAE STUFFING

McNealy is crushed 8&6 which ties the record loss in Texas. Not quite as bad as when Ames got obliterated by Tiger but a grim opening day for the American. 

GREAT SCOTT (AGAIN)

He rolls one in from the back of the 18th to sneak an unlikely point in his match with Power. Paul McGinley does his best to sound pleased for the Aussie. 

CLASSY CANTLAY

The No 4 seed rolls one from 15 feet for a seventh birdie to edge out Nick Taylor. The Canadian was in there tight too so it was a must-make putt. Cantlay might be slow (glacial) but he gets it done and is my tip for Augusta. Which is based on very little other than a distant memory of going close when Tiger won. 

WATCH: SCOTT'S WINNING PUTT

Here's how everyone's favourite hunk stole a point against Seamus Power

FLEETWOOD FLOUNDERING

JT Poston rolls in another birdie at the 13th to go four up on Tommy lad. Fleetwood can't hole anything as putt after putts slips by. Scheffler meanwhile looked a bit discombobulated on the previous green but then whistled a driver onto the par-4 13th green. I'll never understand how his footwork works but it does.  

SHAKE HANDS (REPEAT TO FADE)

We've just had a flurry of finishes as Day, Si Woo Kim and Morikawa all secure opening-day wins. Day is another who will be on many punters' short lists for Augusta given his previous there and he looks fit and healthy and swinging it great. Would be a very popular winner, either this week or in a few weeks in Georgia.

EAGLE TIME

Scheffler has two putts to win the 13th but rolls in his eagle putt from the fringe. Similarly Fleetwood drains one, going in at pace, at the 14th to finally pick up a birdie, his first of the day. And it's enough to pull it back to three down – needs more of those.  

NOT HAPPENING FOR HOVLAND 

Viktor's been out of sorts for much of today and he's now two down against Matt Kuchar. Both he and Kuchar are in there close on 17 and Hovland will get to putt first.

Meanwhile, on 14, Scheffler finds the water with a terrible tee shot that never even looked like finishing on dry land.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

MATT FINISH

Kuchar gets it done without even having to hit his putt after Hovland misses. He's now won 35 times at the Match Play which is one short of Tiger (should anyone be interested). Kuchar is 'feeling good about his game' at the moment and hoping to have a Vijay Singh-like renaissance in his forties.

REALLY, RILEY?

Davis Riley watched Scheffler find the drink at the 14th but then pulled his approach terribly to make a bogey five. But the defending champ then lipped out from close range to run up a double-bogey and his lead is back to one.

Poston has a shortish putt to win the match but sees it slide by and Fleetwood lives on.

THREE TO GO..

There are just three matches left out on the course, including World No 1 Scheffler who's up by one on Davis Riley. Fleetwood needs to pitch it close at 16 to have a chance of extending his match with Poston while Noren and Tom Kim are playing the 15th. The star of the day is Rickie Fowler thus far, unless Riley can overturn his match with Scheffler.

FLEETWOOD SUNK

Fleetwood rolls in another birdie but Poston follows him in and that's that. The good news is that Fleetwood will be out again early against Mav McNealy who got thumped 8&6 today. 

STAT'S AMAZING

Andrew Coltart has just blown my mind with the announcement that we're halfway through the PGA Tour season. This is week 22 of a 44-week schedule. The good news is that four of them are majors.

WATCH: WORLD NO 1 SCHEFFLER FINDS PAR 4

Take a look at big Scottie having a rip at the 13th

MUD BALL!

Scheffler half tops his approach to the 16th after lots of chat about a bit of mud on the ball. In truth it looked more like a bit of a cold top. He pitches it close but then misses the putt. 

Riley has a two-footer to halve the match but hits it too hard and it spins out. An absolutely shocking miss and he's made a mess of his chances coming home.

COMEDY OF ERRORS

The defending champ slams one in close at the short 17th and has a two-footer to win the match... but lips out. Maybe even worse a miss than Riley at the previous hole.

Noren and Kim both get up and down at the previous hole to head to 17 with Kim two up.

Just when everyone was getting ready for a sundowner and the end of play and we've got two matches still going strong.

SAFETY FIRST

It will come down to a pitching contest in the Scheffler-Riley match as both players take an iron off the tee at 18. All day we've seen players hit driver up and around the green but maybe the wind's not playing ball?

TK MAX

Tom Kim posts his point with a simple two putts from close range at 17. The youngest player in the field is off to a flyer. Up ahead Davis Riley is inside Scheffler on the closing green.

THAT'S WHY HE'S THE NO. 1

Scheffler, having missed a tiddler at the 17th, rolls in a 15-footer at the 18th to finally see off Davis Riley. Day one is in the books at what will be the final visit to this corner of Texas.

Thanks for your company and we'll see you all again for the second round of matches.

EXCITING WEDNESDAY

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Wednesday had some big moments, none more so than Rickie Fowler beating Jon Rahm. The American needs to make it out of his group and win a knock out match to get to Augusta in a couple of weeks... he faces Billy Horschel today.

TEE TIMES FOR THURSDAY (CDT)

  • 9.20am Tony Finau vs Adrian Meronk
  • 9.31am Kurt Kitayama vs Christiaan Bezuidenhout
  • 9.42am Will Zalatoris vs Harris English
  • 9.53am Ryan Fox vs Andrew Putnam
  • 10.04am Cameron Young vs Corey Conners
  • 10.15am Sepp Straka vs Davis Thompson
  • 10.26am Jon Rahm vs Keith Mitchell
  • 10.37am Billy Horschel vs Rickie Fowler
  • 10.48am Jordan Spieth vs Taylor Montgomery
  • 10.59am Shane Lowry vs Mackenzie Hughes
  • 11.10am Max Homa vs Kevin Kisner
  • 11.21am Hideki Matsuyama vs Justin Suh
  • 11.32am Sam Burns vs Adam Scott
  • 11.43am Seamus Power vs Adam Hadwin
  • 11.54am Patrick Cantlay vs K.H. Lee
  • 12.05pm Brian Harman vs Nick Taylor
  • 12.16pm Collin Morikawa vs Adam Svensson
  • 12.27pm Jason Day vs Victor Perez
  • 12.38pm Viktor Hovland vs Si Woo Kim
  • 12.49pm Chris Kirk vs Matt Kuchar
  • 1pm Sungjae Im vs J.T. Poston
  • 1.11pm Tommy Fleetwood vs Maverick McNealy
  • 1.22pm Scottie Scheffler vs Alex Noren
  • 1.33pm Tom Kim vs Davis Riley
  • 1.44pm Matt Fitzpatrick vs Min Woo Lee
  • 1.55pm Sahith Theegala vs J.J. Spaun
  • 2.06pm Xander Schauffele vs Aaron Wise
  • 2.17pm Tom Hoge vs Cam Davis
  • 2.28pm Tyrrell Hatton vs Lucas Herbert
  • 2.39pm Russell Henley vs Ben Griffin
  • 2.50pm Rory McIlroy vs Denny McCarthy
  • 3.01pm Keegan Bradley vs Scott Stallings

AUSTIN WEATHER FORECAST

(Image credit: Google/Weather.com)

Looks like the weather will be fine for today's play, with perhaps the chance of a shower in the afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for tomorrow morning, but hopefully nothing too disruptive. 

MAKING IT LOOK EASY

Not sure anyone has made golf look quite as easy as this.

WHO IS FAVOURITE TO WIN?

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Unsurprisingly both World Number One Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are the favourites to raise the trophy on Sunday. Their victories on day 1 mean they are in perfect position to escape their groups and to get to the knockout rounds on Saturday.

MATCH OF THE DAY 

10.37am Billy Horschel vs Rickie Fowler - Horschel tied his match so know that if he loses today he will be eliminated from the event. Fowler is desperate to escape the group to give him a shout at making the Masters in a couple of weeks... this should be a cracker.

CAN RORY MAKE IT 2 WINS FROM 2?

Rory McIlroy beat Scott Stallings on Day 1, he takes on Denny McCarthy on Friday with one of the final matches of the day, not starting until 2.50pm CDT/7.50pm GMT. Rory won this event in 2015 at Harding Park, but has struggled to make an impact at Austin only getting out of the groups once (lost to Tiger Woods in Round of 16 in 2019). Indeed he even skipped the event in 2022. Could 2023 be the year that all changes?

CAN RAHM RECOVER?

Jon Rahm lost to Rickie Fowler yesterday, meaning that he really cannot afford any further slip ups. He faces Keith Mitchell today who tied yesterday with Billy Horschel. 

NO LIV GOLFERS

Both Bubba Watson or Dustin Johnson this week, who have both won the WGC Match Play. These names have certainly meant a lack of star matches at the event, but that was some great play yesterday.

Who's ready for some live golf? 

You're too early. We have two hours to go until Tony Finau faces off against the 'Polish Tiger', Adrian Meronk. That's 2.20PM GMT. 

PAR-4 13TH PROVIDES THE THRILLS 

We saw a lot of this yesterday - but it never gets boring. I think there's been a bit of chat recently about rolling back the ball, maybe? Anyway, what a brilliant match play hole this is. Not everyone took it on, but it suited Scottie's eye. 

Hatton feels the pain

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Tyrrell Hatton played through the pain yesterday. He seems to be troubled by his right hand. At the moment, he's going to carry on. He suffered a 3&1 defeat in his opening match against Ben Griffin. Perhaps an early exit from the WGC Match Play would be a blessing in disguise with The Masters just around the corner. 

Schauffele ticking Masters boxes

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Ok, so who's on this man for The Masters? He's got a pretty decent record at Augusta National and he looked to be swinging the club quite beautifully yesterday. I'm convinced enough to back him and make the American my 28th pick so far to pull on the Green Jacket.

Here's what he had to say after his 4&3 win over Cam Davis. "I played great. I played really solid. I think I had one bad swing all day. Turning the ball both ways, which is refreshing compared to how I've been hitting it in recent tournaments. Just played really solid, kind of kept it in front of me and had a big enough lead to cruise in laid."

Green Jacket, I'm telling you. 

Second group matches fast approaching 

Today has a Friday feel. Those who have already suffered defeat will walk off with a missed cut kind of a feeling if they lose for the second day running.

HAPPY RORS

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After a disappointing Players Championship and some concerns over his gear, McIlroy seems to be happy enough at the moment. And so he should be. He opened up with victory over Scott Stallings with a new driver and putter in the bag.

Here's what the Ulsterman had to say after his round. "Driver was good. Driver was really good. I'm much happier with where I am there. Obviously off the tee is such an important part of the game for me. Putter was good. Struggled a little bit with the speed, so I'll probably go work on that a little bit this afternoon. But overall pretty happy with my win."

McIlroy plays Denny McCarthy in his second round match today (7.50pm GMT).

WILL'S PUTTING STROKE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE 

This guy has game. He also appears to have the putting stroke of a club golfer who, dare we say, has difficulties from close range. He's one of the favourites for The Masters, so surely it's not that bad? If it works... and normally it does, right? 

MORE DRAMA ON 13

Here we have Ryan Fox showing the par-4 13th no respect whatsoever. Zero. None. He said afterwards that he got a little "lucky", "must have landed into a little upslope". Nothing lucky about it, Foxy - just beautiful. 

CONNERS MERCILESS 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Canadian handed Sepp Straka a 6&5 mauling yesterday. Here's another guy who seems to like Augusta National. I'm making him my 29th selection for the Green Jacket. 

Second group matches coming up 

With 45 minutes to go until day two gets underway, we like to think that Will Zalatoris is on the putting green working on his stroke. I wouldn't like to ask him a question about his action - he must be bored of hearing about it. I'd be worried that he'd wrap his big Scotty Cameron around my head. 

latest odds

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Obviously it depends where you look, but a rough guide of how the market is looking after the first group matches:

Scheffler: 13/2
McIlroy: 9/1
Cantlay: 12/1
Morikawa: 16/1
Spieth: 16/1
Homa: 16/1
Schauffele: 16/1

Rahm widely available at 33s after his defeat to Rickie Fowler (25s) yesterday. 

goodbye to the bridge 

(Image credit: Getty Images )

There are many things we'll miss about Austin Country Club when we say goodbye to the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play this weekend, including its trademark iron bridge. Sure, it's no Swilcan Bridge, but it's an engineering masterpiece nonetheless. 

SECOND ROUND MATCHES ON THE WAY

Just 15 minutes away, then. Time to make a brew and plant yourself in front of the tele for hours. No distractions, unless international soccer is your thing. That's for later. Right now we have some of this...

9.20am Tony Finau vs Adrian Meronk
9.31am Kurt Kitayama vs Christiaan Bezuidenhout
9.42am Will Zalatoris vs Harris English
9.53am Ryan Fox vs Andrew Putnam

This one should be a cracker...
10.04am Cameron Young vs Corey Conners

SHOT OF THE DAY?

Plenty of highlights yesterday, but this might have been shot of the day - JJ Spaun holing out on the 13th. Not sure Matt Fitzpatrick would have been smiling. 

WE'RE OFF

USA v Poland. Finau splits the fairway. Meronk leaks one to the right. The Pole will be making his Masters debut in two weeks' time. 

round one summary

A few interesting stats/facts:

Top 16 seeded players went a combined 11-5
Highest seeded player to lose 1st match - Jon Rahm (2)
Lowest seeded player to win a 1st match - Ben Griffin (62)
Sungjae Im ties largest margin of victory (8&6) since the event moved to Austin CC in 2016
Matt Kuchar won his 35th match, 2nd most to Tiger Woods (36 wins)

First blood Finau

The game's most laid back character takes the first hole, splits another fairway on 2. Meronk crushes one.

Kitayama and Bezuidenhout are now - they're pretty much side buy side down the 1st.

don't try this at home 

Or maybe do. This was Hideki Matsuyama on the putting green yesterday. This tweet explains exactly how it's done - really simple stuff to improve your stroke.

Meanwhile, Kitayama stiffs one at the first. God it must feel good to birdie the first. Anyone ever done that? His South African opponent makes him putt his tiddler, which Kurt does no problem. 

ZALATORIS ALERT 

The man with the much talked about putting stroke is away. Not long now until we get a first look at it in action. Stay tuned for updates...

The action is interrupted by some pictures of a waterfall - very nice - before we return to see Finau miss the chance to go 2UP on Meronk. Talking of putting strokes, Finau's isn't exactly what you'd call orthodox. 

'WILLY ZEE' IN CLOSE ON 1

This is not what I call him, that came from the comms box. Anyway, he's into three feet on the first and we have the perfect chance to see that putting stroke. He misses.

Meanwhile, Spieth is working on his putting. He's got an alignment stick attached to his upper half. You'll get grief from your playing partners if you try this down your club. However, we're all for it. This is a guy who knows how to roll his rock. 

Rickie on the range 

This guy is so vane - he's videoing himself on his phone. Seriously, he's taking a good look at his swing with his caddie. Remember, Rickie is in a fight to gain a Masters spot. 

Good Things Come In Threes

Cameron Young played each hole on the front nine yesterday in 3, as he went birdie, birdie, birdie, par, birdie, eagle, par, birdie, birdie. He has just started his match with the other victor from Group 15, Corey Conners. (Conners in fact had the more impressive victory, 6&5, compared with Young’s 3&2.)

Same Old Young

A putt of less than 4ft for Cam Young to make, yep, a 3 on the 1st. But Conners had already made a reasonably long putt for birdie so it's all square going to the 2nd.

Those Who Cannot Afford To Lose

It is impossible to qualify for the final 16 if you lose both your opening group matches. This is the possibility facing 30 men in this field – two matches yesterday were tied. Number 2 seed Jon Rahm is one who faces this unwelcome prospect. The WGC Match Play has not been fertile ground for second seeds: they has won it only once, and have been the runner-up twice. Rahm is playing Keith Mitchell, participant in one of yesterday's halved matches. Both players have missed the fairway with their drives on the first hole..

Spell Broken

Cam Young's run of 3s on the front  nine over two days has ended with a bogey on the 2nd. But it's a halved hole as Conners also cards a bogey,.

Rahm Wins The 1st Hole

Some scruffy golf from both players, but, with two putts to win it from Mitchell, Rahm only uses one of them as he makes birdie.

Presidential Decree

Austin Country Club, host of this and the most recent six WGC Match Plays, was founded in 1899 by Lewis Hancock, three years after he founded the Hancock Opera House in Austin. His CV also included being Mayor of Austin, President of Austin's State National bank. He was President of the gofl club for the first 17 years. I love this line about him from the official club history: "He was the sole authority on the rules of golf and all procedures of the social end of the Club."

Young And Conners All Square After 3

They have both gone 3-5-4. They are now onto the first par 3 on the course.

Young And Conners Halve 4

Both make.... 3. How soon can we flip this story round to "when will Cam Young make a birdie on par 3"? He has had four attempts so far over the two days, and has made four 3s.

Seeds Of Misfortune

Historically, the number 3 seed has only once been in a final (and lost); the number 4 seed never has. The seeds to have contested the most finals, after the no 1 seed, are the number 21 and 23 seeds, with four finals each.

Shane Lowry is this year’s 21st seed, and his Group 12 match has just begun against Mackenzie Hughes. Both of them lost their opening matches, so the loser will be knocked out.

Third Time's A Charm

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This is the third different site of Austin Country Club. The original course is now Hancock Park Golf Course. The club left this behind when, in 1949, it moved to Riverside Drive in east Austin, where it stayed until 1984. It then moved to the 180-acre Davenport Ranch, 10 miles north-west of downtown Austin. Pete and Alice Dye were tasked with carving out a course from what Mrs Dye reputedly described as “a terrible piece of property.” What they built is one of the best golf courses in Texas.

First Match Reaches Back Nine 

Group 10 started proceedings today, and Tony Finau and Adrian Meronk have now got to the 10th hole. Finau is 1up. In the match behind them, Kurt Kitayama is 2up on Christiaan Bezuidenhout through 8.

Conners Takes Lead

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Cam Young just can't master those par 3s can he? He makes bogey on 7 so Conners' birdie means the Canadian becomes the first to win a hole in their match,

Seventh Seed Going To Be Knocked Out?

Will Zalatoris (left) and Harris English (Image credit: Getty Images)

We are only on the second of the three group matches, but two losses and you cannot qualify for the last 16 with only the group winners going through. Will Zalatoris lost 3&2 yesterday to 56th seed Andrew Putnam, and now he is 3down to Harris English after the front nine.

Donald’s Ducks

It was not a good day yesterday for the Europeans, with only Rory McIlroy and Adrian Meronk winning. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald will have been hoping for better today. But Adrian Meronk is 2 down after 11; Sepp Straka is 1 down after 8 and Shane Lowry is 3 down after 5. Jon Rahm is at least ahead in his match. He is 1up through 7. 

Where Few Have Trodden

With the lead match now on 13 (where Finau is 2up on Meronk), no game has had a chance to get to the 18th hole yet. But only nine matches on the first day did end up going that far. The hole was kind to those 18 players who did play it –10 pars and 8 birdies. However the par-5 16th was the easiest hole on day one, with an average score of 4.34, from an eagle, 32 birdies, 16 pars and a bogey.

Scores In The First Three Groups Out On Course 

Group 10
Tony Finau is 3up on Adrian Meronk after 13
Kurt Kitayama is 1 down to Christiaan Bezuidenhout after 12

Group 7
Will Zalatoris is 4 down to Harris English after 11
Ryan Fox is 1up on Andrew Putnam after 11

Group 15
Cameron Young is 1 down to Corey Conners 10
Sepp Straka is 2 down to Davis Thompson after 9

Fowler Flower Power? 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rickie has again gone for a flowery shirt design. Fowler needs needs a quarter-final finish to make it to The Masters, So far so good: he won yesterday. But he is 1 down today through 9 against Billy Horschel.

Latest Scores

Group 10
Tony Finau is 3up on Adrian Meronk after 14
Kurt Kitayama is 1 down to Christiaan Bezuidenhout after 14

Group 7
Will Zalatoris is 4 down to Harris English after 13
Ryan Fox is 1up on Andrew Putnam after 12

Group 15
Cameron Young is 1 down to Corey Conners after 12
Sepp Straka is 2 down to Davis Thompson after 11

Group 2
Jon Rahm is 3up on Keith Mitchell after 11
Billy Horschel is 1up on Rickie Fowler after 9

Group 12
Jordan Spieth is tied with Taylor Montgomery after 8
Shane Lowry ios 5 down to Mackenzie Hughes after 7

Group 5
Max Homa is tied with Kevin Kisner after 7
Hideki Matsuyama is 1 down after 6 to Justin Suh after 6

Shame Of Shane

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Shane Lowry is struggling. He lost two of the first four holes to par. Then Mackenzie Hughes went birdie-eagle-birdie through 5 to 7 to win those holes and go 5up after 7. They have just halved the 8th hole in par.

Record Attempt

Matt Kuchar has just teed off in his Group 8 match with Chris Kirk. A win for 59th seed Kuchar would tie him with Tiger Woods for the most matches won in this event – 36. Up ahead of them in the same group, Viktor Hovland has lost the 1st hole to par and Si Woo Kim.  

Spieth not yet back to his best

The Texan is getting there but he still looks horribly uncomfortable with the putter in hand. We saw him in what looked like a straitjacket on the practice putting green as he continues to search for the prowess on the greens that saw him win three majors and ascend to World No. 1.

He misses from six feet for birdie on 10, allowing Taylor Montgomery to level up the match. Game on!

The eagle has landed

After a good win against Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler has been pretty poor today. He's one-over and three down heading to the par-5 12th but makes an eagle to reduce his arrears to two. A reminder that he needs to get to the last eight to make the Masters. Big final six coming up. 

Rahm is dormie five up in the other game in that group against Keith Mitchell.

Final results - Zalatoris out

Kurt Kitayama has beaten Christiaan Bezuidenhout 2&1 in group 10, meaning it's all to play for tomorrow in his match with Tony Finau. 

In group 7, Willy Z goes down 5&3 to Harris English and is out. Not a good couple days for the American, who added another horror-show putting clip to his highlight reel. 

Fowler pulls another one back

A birdie at the 13th gets Fowler back to just one behind against Billy Horschel. The momentum is with him. Classic match play.

In other news, Alex Noren has won the first hole against Scottie Scheffler. We'll check back in with them in a couple hours.

Spieth finds the water

It's never straightforward with Jordan Spieth, is it? He wins 12 courtesy of a dribbled four-footer and then finds the water off the 13th tee, breaking out into an ironic laugh and complaining off gusts.

Rahmbo sees off Cashmere Keith

The Spaniard bounced back from his defeat yesterday to beat Keith Mitchell 4&3.

"The biggest difference was on the greens," he said. "Yesterday I didn't make any putts. Today I played pretty similarly and capitalised on a couple of putts.

"Not many pairings are going to have more electricity than me and Billy [Horschel] tomorrow."

Cam Young from another continent

The American must have blocked his drive on the last 90 yards right of target. If it was you or me it would be a lost ball but he's absolutely fine on the practice ground and will likely see out a one-up win.

Near slam dunk for Adam Scott

Was going to say the hunk but that would have been too far, right? Right? Anyway, Adam Scott gets a brutal bit of luck on the par-3 11th. His tee shot nearly slam dunks but clatters the pin and almost ends up in the water. 

He scrambles a three and a half to remain all square with Sam Burns.

Horschel two clear again

A costly bogey on 15 for Fowler allows Horschel to double his lead. He's in trouble again on 16 so this match could be over very soon.

Spieth misses another five-footer on 14 and falls one down to Montgomery. He used to be a joy to watch on the greens; it's cover your eyes stuff just now.

Horschel gets the job done

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Horschel beats his 2007 Walker Cup teammate 3&2 in group 2. He'll face Jon Rahm tomorrow knowing a win will see him progress to the last 16. As for Fowler, he'll need to beat Keith Mitchell and hope for a favour.

Spieth in trouble

He's snatching defeat from the jaws of victory here. The Texan has now lost three in a row and finds himself two down with three to play.

McGinley stating the obvious

Golf commentary leaves a lot to be desired. The latest gem from Paul McGinley is that people who get off to good starts in match play have a better chance of winning. "That's what the statistics say." 

Earth-shattering stuff. 

Lifeline for Spieth

Montgomery finds the water with his tee shot on 16. So wide that no-one in the gallery even reacted. Spieth finds the fairway and gets his second greenside on the par-5 so should reduce his arrears to one.

Scott channels his inner hacker

We'll file this one under things we didn't expect to see. From the perfect spot on the par-4 13th, Adam Scott hits the purest knife you're likely to see. He follows that up with a semi-flubbed half-hearted flop shot. The local Sunday hacker would be proud. 

He loses the hole and is now one down to Sam Burns.

Lowry bows out

Shane Lowry will not make the knockout stages after losing 4&3 to Mackenzie Hughes. Not a great couple of days and adds to his poor match play record at the Hero Cup in January. Luke Donald will hope this isn't a pattern.

Power draws level

A par is good enough for Seamus Power to square his match with Adam Hadwin. He needs a win to keep his hopes alive.

Monty makes it two from two

The Jordan Spieth rollercoaster is over for another day. Taylor Montgomery makes a great birdie on 17 to close out the match 2&1. It wasn't pretty but he won't care. That's two wins from two for Monty, who faces Mackenzie Hughes tomorrow.

Spieth squares off against Shane Lowry knowing he needs a win to have any hope.

Homa gets the W

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Max Homa defeats match play specialist Kevin Kisner 3&2 to go with his win against Justin Suh yesterday.

Elsewhere, Jason Day has been dragged back to all square by Victor Perez but is in pole position on the par-3 11th.

Scott squares up match, Power misses a tiddler

Sam Burns can't convert from 20ft on 15 to stay one up against Adam Scott in group 13.

In the other match, Seamus Power misses a tiddler to go one up through 14. 

Call the fashion police

K.H. Lee is sporting one of the worst shirts I've ever seen. It has to be seen to be believed. I will endeavour to find a picture.

Morikawa eagle

Collin Morikawa was two up early on against Adam Svensson but found himself one down heading to the par-5 12th until a chip-in eagle got him back level. This one could go the distance.

Driver off the Hi-deck-i

I'm not sorry. 

Cracking ball flight on this driver off the deck. However, Hideki can't make the seven-footer for birdie to win the hole and is dormie two down.

McIlroy losing, Matsuyama loses

It's early doors but McIlroy is one down through one against Denny McCarthy in group 3.

Up at 17, Matsuyama makes a bogey to lose 3&1 to Justin Suh. An awful display on the greens from the former Masters champ. He'll need to beat Max Homa tomorrow.

Watch: Morikawa's majestic chip-in

Cantlay cruising

Patty Ice is honing in on his second win and holes from six feet on 15 to move three up with three to play against K.H. Lee in the ugly shirt. Still no picture available but trust me. 

Behind, Victor Perez chips in on 12 to move one up on Jason Day.

Group 13 going the distance

Adam Scott is tied with Sam Burns on 18 but launches his drive off the planet left. The overhead shot shows it's not in the water but he is in the hazard. He'll need to take a drop and get up and down to have any chance.

Behind, Seamus Power and Adam Hadwin are all square on 17. They both lost yesterday so a half is no good for either. All to play for.

K.H. Lee (rightly) loses

Nobody deserves to win in a shirt like that. Patrick Cantlay gets the job done 4&2 to move onto two points and eliminate Lee. In the other group 4 match, Brian Harman is 2 up over Nick Taylor through 15.

Let off for Rory

Rory McIlroy is up against it but it could've been worse. Denny McCarthy won two of the first three holes in this group 3 showdown but misses from 10ft to move three up. 

Sam Burns Scotty 2 Hotty

Dreadful, I know. But it's all over in the first group 13 match of the day as a par is good enough for Sam Burns to beat Adam Scott after the Aussie blasted his tee shot waaaaaaaay left into the hazard. 

That's two wins for Burns, meaning Scott will have to beat Adam Hadwin tomorrow to have a chance.

Day back level

Jason Day wasn't behind for long. He slots a 15-footer for birdie on 13 to get back to all square in his match against Victor Perez.

Seamus has the power

Can't wait for someone to take over this blog. Anyway, what a brilliantly played hole by Seamus Power to clinch a 1up victory over Adam Hadwin and keep his hopes alive in group 13. 

He's up against Sam Burns tomorrow and needs to win again, while Hadwin faces Adam Scott. 

That's better Tommy lad

His putting has been woeful so of course Fleetwood blades a wedge into the hole. The Englishman is all square with Mac McNealy in his group 16 match.

Svensson on verge of scalp

Adam Svensson is one up with two to play against Collin Morikawa in group 9. Both are safely aboard the par-3 17th with around 15 feet apiece for birdie. 

Would be a big win for the Canadian. 

HOVLAND HEADING HOME

Viktor's going to be home before the postcards as he loses his second match. Si Woo Kim now has two wins and is sitting pretty. Poor day for the Europeans on Wednesday and Rory's just lost another at the 6th and is three down.

GREAT SCOTTIE

Scheffler squeezed through last night at the last but he's making short shrift of Alex Noren with six birdies in his last eight holes to blast four holes ahead. 

MAVERICK FIRING BLANKS

McNealy has just hit such a wide at the 13th that he hit the DELL Technologies board that's sitting, minding its own business. in the middle of the lake. Great bit of work for the sponsors given this shot will be shown again and again.

MORIKAWA SNEAKS HALF

Our former Open champ thought he had missed his short birdie putt at the last but it grabs the left edge and he and Svensson share the spoils. In the other match JDay is two up with two to play after Perez hits a screaming knife that didn't even see the foliage let alone the putting surface.

JUST (A BIT RUBBISH) SEVENTEEN

We've heard a lot about how good a matchplay course this is but you'd probably want a bit more from the last two holes. The 17th is a wedge that everyone seems to get within 15 feet while the last is a drive and a flick. Or, if you're Adam Scott, a penalty drop...

Rory holes a lengthy one at the 7th to get back to two down. More good news for his new putter while Perez lips out to lose to Day.

ONE FOR AUGUSTA?

Two-time champ JDay says he got a bit lucky in his win over Perez but it's a second win and the Day run of form continues. He'll face Morikawa on Friday and the American needs a win to progress. Should be a cracker.

WATCH: CLASSY COLLIN

This is how Morikawa set up his closing birdie..

OUT OF TOWN

Another player, Chris Kirk, doesn't see the 16th green as he knifes one from the undergrowth long and dead and he has to take a drop. This will likely let in Kuchar to take a one-hole lead heading to the 17th tee. It's been a good week so far for Matty which will please plenty/his family. 

RORY TURNING THINGS AROUND

McIlroy plays a beauty of a chip from beyond the 8th green with an open clubface from a tightish lie. We've now heard so often how underrated his short game is that it might now have tipped the balance and be overrated. Anyway, he wins the hole and is back to one down.

Scheffler and Noren shake hands at the 14th. Job done again for the champ.

A FAMILIAR SIGHT

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This might be the most familiar image in the game as Ty-rrell can't believe how a putt stays out. It looked like Hatton might not make it to the 1st tee on Wednesday with a wrist/hand problem but he's one up today thru 10 against Herbert.

OUTRAGEOUS BREAK FOR RORY

McIlroy tugs a wedge left at the 9th and it somehow stays perched on the brickwork that surrounds the green. Not sure how that's actually happened. God knows how he's going to play it as it has to be half buried?

RORY ON THE ROCKS

It turned out to be quite straightforward as he somehow had a decent lie on the rocks. Very nearly chipped it in and escapes with a half.

Matty K misses a five-footer at 18 and he only halves with Kirk but if he beats Si Woo Kim then he'll be through

SPEAK TO ME MAV

Bad news for Tommy fans - McNealy holes a bunker shot at 16 and he goes one up. Lost 8&6 on day one. 

WOO SCARES THE HOLE

Min Woo nearly holes his bunker shot at the 14th. The Aussie is fast becoming one of my favourites. Like the cut of his jib and game. The wispy tache needs to go though.

TALL STORY

If you don't follow Justin Ray on Twitter then you really should. The man is a genius.

WATCH: THAT RORY BREAK

Here's how close he came to losing (and then winning) the 9th hole 

POSTON DELIVERS AGAIN

JT, the No 43 seed, now has two wins in his group having beaten Fleetwood on Wednesday. So that means Tommy's race is run even if he wins the last against McNealy.

Better news for Rory as McCarthy makes an unforced bogey and they're now level. And the juggernaut JJ Spaun wins again, 5&3 yesterday and 5&4 today.

WATCH: MCCARTHY MUST BE SPITTING

Not sure how this happened?

LATE FLEETWOOD FLURRY

Fleetwood birdies the 18th from around 15 feet which means that McNealy now can't qualify. Would have made a nice story had he beat Poston and then advanced after getting pummelled 8&6 on day one. As it is either Poston or Im will advance. 

SHEFFIELD STEEL

Matt Fitzpatrick rolls in a beauty for a birdie at the 16th, his sixth of the day, and he's now dormie two with Min Woo. Much better after a poor showing on Wednesday. 

FITZPATRICK BACK IN IT 

The US Open champ has been out of sorts of late but he rolls in a seventh birdie to dispatch Min Woo Lee. He'll now need to beat Theegala and hope that Lee beats Spaun. And then we'll have a three-way tie..

THE TRAP DRAW

Russell Henley plays a crackerjack of a wedge into the 13th. The caddy chat involved talk of a 'trap draw' which seemed to confuse the comms box. Hit it stone dead using the spin and the fringe.

Rory misses a short one to go ahead... 

LIFE OF RILEY

Davis Riley gets off the mark after his opening defeat by Scheffler where he had his chances. Two putts at the last give him the point over Tom Kim and he will now face the winless Noren while Kim and Scheffler will face off.

Meanwhile Rory has just flown the 13th with a colossal hit. The driver starting to behave itself very nicely.

WATCH: RORY'S MAMMOTH DRIVE

Here's Rory in action with the new chief..

RORY AND THAT SHORT GAME AGAIN

Going long at the 13th is not to be encouraged but Rory plays a lovely little chip. McCarthy leaves his birdie putt in the jaws which prompts the usual matchplay cliches. McIlroy's chip runs eight feet past and the birdie putt isn't even close to touching the sides. A big shove right and they stay all square.  

WHAT NEXT FROM HIDEKI?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Matsuyama lit up day one with his fluorescent yellow slacks and he's gone for these magnetic blue trousers today. Fashion is a very personal thing but you do wonder who he's appealing to here. We look forward to whatever he's got up his sleeve on Friday.

Xander Schauffele pockets a second win and is going along nicely.

KEEGAN OFF THE MARK

Bradley demolishes Stallings 6&5 and will now face Rory in the final group match. Five birdies and an eagle should send him into that match with plenty of confidence. 

Denny McCarthy, Rich Beem tells us, is none too pleased with his caddie. Rory stiffs his awkward chip and there are more compliments over his short game and more talk of it being underrated.

Au revoir Tom Hoge, he loses to Cam Davis.

I KNOW, I KNOW..

(Repeat to ourselves) We must not get carried away about Rory and Augusta... We must not get carried away about Rory and Augusta.... We must not get carried away about Rory and Augusta

But the driver does look good in his hands. Really good. Not sure about the putter but supposedly he had 19 putts in one round at Augusta the other week. 

HERBERT NICKS ONE

Hatton looks perplexed once more as a birdie putt at 16 dives across the hole - Lucas Herbert takes advantage and pockets a birdie of his own to edge ahead.

THROWING PROVERBIAL DARTS 

McCarthy has a nestled down lie (on the fairway) but gets a great contact and he won't need his putter. Rory will but he'll have a two-footer for the half after a brilliant pitch of his own.

He doesn't need his putter and the players move to the 16th.

HATTON ALL DONE

Tyrrell loses for the second straight day as Lucas Herbert birdies the 17th. I'm now officially bored by the short hole which is just a wedge and a shortish putt right at the business end of the matches.

Anyway, another boomer from Rory off the 16th tee while McCarthy is wide and short right.

MAGIC MCILROY UPS HIS GAME

Rory has 231 yards to the uphill 16th green and he lands it pin high with a long iron. McCarthy plays a wood from the rough to just short of the green but he has a great angle and he'll need to get up and down to stay on level terms. McIlroy is about 20 feet away.

WATCH: GOOD, GOOD

Here's how the 15th was shared..

MCILROY AHEAD FOR THE FIRST TIME

Rory leaves his eagle putt in the jaws but McCarthy sees his birdie putt slip by the right-hand side. After being three down early on the Northern Irishman is now ahead.

31 DOWN, ONE TO GO

This is now the only match left in the course. Rory 15 feet away, McCarthy to 12 feet. Plus ca change at 17...

HOLE HALVED IN THREE

Both players under-borrow their birdie putts and they will head to the 18th tee with Rory one up. Neither putt looked like going in.  

SENSATIONAL!

Rory gets the chief out at the 375-yard closing hole. A ball speed of 188mph sees the ball land on the front of the green and run up to three or four feet. Absolutely ridiculous. McCarthy comes up about 40 yards short.

There's your shot of the week.

RORY MAKES IT TWO FROM TWO

He won't even need to putt as McCarthy's pitch finishes six feet away. Got a tiny bit of luck here and there but drove it great and a gritty comeback. A half against Keegan Bradley and he'll be through to the knockout stages.

WATCH: FEAST YOUR EYES ON THIS

Good night and thanks for your company. Here's Rory and THAT drive at 18. What a wonder shot.

FINAL GROUP DAY

As is the way with this format no players have managed to get to the knockout stages yet - so there will be plenty of drama (as well as some great golf).

TEE TIMES ANNOUNCED (CDT)

The tee times are a little earlier today so as to deal with any potential play-off scenarios.

  • 8.00am K.H. Lee vs Nick Taylor
  • 8.11am Adam Svensson vs Victor Perez
  • 8.22am Viktor Hovland vs Chris Kirk
  • 8.33am Denny McCarthy vs Scott Stallings
  • 8.44am Jordan Spieth vs Shane Lowry
  • 8.55am Taylor Montgomery vs Mackenzie Hughes
  • 9.06am Max Homa vs Hideki Matsuyama
  • 9.17am Kevin Kisner vs Justin Suh
  • 9.28am Sam Burns vs Seamus Power
  • 9.39am Adam Scott vs Adam Hadwin
  • 9.50am Patrick Cantlay vs Brian Harman
  • 10.01am Collin Morikawa vs Jason Day
  • 10.12am Si Woo Kim vs Matt Kuchar
  • 10.23am Sungjae Im vs Tommy Fleetwood
  • 10.34am J.T. Poston vs Maverick McNealy
  • 10.45am Scottie Scheffler vs Tom Kim
  • 10.56am Alex Noren vs Davis Riley
  • 11.07am Matt Fitzpatrick vs Sahith Theegala
  • 11.18am Min Woo Lee vs J.J. Spaun
  • 11.29am Xander Schauffele vs Tom Hoge
  • 11.40am Aaron Wise vs Cam Davis
  • 11.51am Tyrrell Hatton vs Russell Henley
  • 12.02pm Lucas Herbert vs Ben Griffin
  • 12.13pm Rory McIlroy vs Keegan Bradley
  • 12.24pm Tony Finau vs Kurt Kitayama
  • 12.35pm Adrian Meronk vs Christiaan Bezuidenhout
  • 12.46pm Will Zalatoris vs Ryan Fox
  • 12.57pm Harris English vs Andrew Putnam
  • 1.08pm Cameron Young vs Sep Straka
  • 1.19pm Corey Conners vs Davis Thompson
  • 1.30pm Jon Rahm vs Billy Horschel
  • 1.41pm Keith Mitchell vs Rickie Fowler

EARLY MORNING WEATHER ISSUES

(Image credit: Google/Weather.com)

It looks like those early tee times may have a bit of rain to deal with. Fingers crossed it doesn;t cause any delays. It looks good for the rest of the tournament.

WHO IS GOING TO WIN?

(Image credit: Oddschecker)

Jon Rahm back in with a chance to win, means he is back to being one of the favourites to win. 

SHOT OF THE DAY

No doubting what was the shot of the day on Thursday, Rory McIlroy's incredible drive to just 3 feet on 18. 

MATCH OF THE DAY

1.30pm CDT / 6.30pm GMT - Billy Horschel v Jon Rahm

This should be a cracker Horschel has won the Match Play at this course, and Rahm must win to have any chance of progressing. Hold onto your hats.

SHOOTOUT

12.13pm CDT/5.13pm GMT Rory McIlroy v Keegan Bradley

Whoever wins this match will progress from group 3. 

Europe v USA in a Ryder Cup year... yum!

SPIETH IN DANGER

(Image credit: PGA Tour)

Jordan Spieth suffered a shock loss yesterday to Taylor Montgomery yesterday. He must beat already eliminated Shane Lowry and hope Montgomery slips up against Mackenzie Hughes. 

EARLY MATCHES TO HAVE DRAMA

9.06am CDT/2.06pm GMT - Max Homa vs Hideki Matsuyama

Really looking forward to this match, Homa is one of the form players on the planet, and Matsuyama loves a big occasion. Two top 20 players meeting, both can still qualify as well. Should be a cracker.

EARLIER TEE TIMES TODAY

Reminder that the matches start at 8am CDT/ 1pm GMT today - as they need some time at the end for potential playoff matches.

PIN POSITIONS FOR DAY 3

(Image credit: PGA Tour)

Some tucked away hole locations on day 3 should lead for exciting moments. Risk reward moments galore. 

We're off at 1pm GMT

The action gets underway a little earlier today, so we're just an hour away until K.H. Lee vs Nick Taylor. Who will advance today? Things are starting to get serious. 

RORY SURPRISES HIMSELF 

Obviously you've already watched like a hundred times already. McIlroy was actually quite surprised by his own strength. Here is what he had to say about that crushing drive on 18 yesterday.

"I certainly didn't expect to fly it on the green. It's almost one of those, when it's that far much downwind, it's almost like I could have hit 3-wood to get the down slope to get the skid. Like, I was imagining the driver was going to land into the upslope and sort of stay 10, 20 yards short. But as I said, I didn't imagine I could fly it on the green."

Well you did, you animal. 

WHO WILL ADVANCE? 

It's all really simple...

GROUP 1: 

If Scheffler wins or ties, Scheffler advances.

If Kim and Riley each win, it will force a three-way playoff between those two and Scheffler.

If Kim wins and Riley ties or loses, it will force a playoff between Scheffler and Kim.

Noren is eliminated.

GROUP 2: 

If Horschel wins, he advances.

If Horschel ties and Fowler wins, it will force a playoff between those two.

If Horschel ties and Mitchell wins or ties, Horschel advances.

If Rahm and Fowler each win, it will force a playoff between those two.

If Rahm wins and Fowler ties or loses, Rahm advances.

Mitchell is eliminated.

GROUP 3: 

If McIlroy wins or ties, McIlroy advances.

If Bradley wins, Bradley advances.

McCarthy and Stallings are eliminated.

GROUP 4: 

The winner of the Cantlay-Harman match advances. (A tie would force a playoff).

Lee and Taylor are eliminated.

GROUP 5: 

If Homa wins or ties, Homa advances.

If Matsuyama and Suh each win, it will force a three-way playoff between those two and Homa.

If Matsuyama wins and Suh ties or loses, it will force a playoff between Matsuyama and Homa.

Kisner is eliminated.

GROUP 6: 

If Schauffele wins or ties, Schauffele advances.

If Schauffele loses, he can still advance if Wise-Davis tie.

If Wise wins and Schauffele loses, it will force a playoff between those two.

If Davis wins and Schauffele loses, it will force a playoff between those two.

Hoge is eliminated.

GROUP 7: 

If Putnam wins or ties, Putnam advances.

If Fox and English each win, it will force a three-way playoff between those two and Putnam.

If English wins and Fox ties or loses, it will force a playoff between English and Putnam.

Zalatoris is eliminated.

GROUP 8: 

If Kim wins or ties, Kim advances.

If Kuchar wins, Kuchar advances.

Hovland and Kirk are eliminated.

GROUP 9: 

If Day wins or ties, Day advances.

If Morikawa wins, Morikawa advances.

Svensson and Perez are eliminated.

GROUP 10: 

If Finau wins or ties, Finau advances.

If Kitayama and Meronk each win, it will force a three-way playoff between those two and Finau.

If Kitayama wins and Meronk ties or loses, it will force a playoff between Finau and Kitayama.

Bezuidenhout is eliminated.

GROUP 11: 

If Spaun wins or ties, Spaun advances.

If Lee and Fitzpatrick each win, it will force a three-way playoff between those two and Spaun.

If Lee wins and Fitzpatrick ties or loses, it will force a playoff between Lee and Spaun.

Theegala is eliminated.

GROUP 12: 

If Montgomery wins or ties, Montgomery advances.

If Spieth and Hughes each win, it will force a three-way playoff between those two and Montgomery.

If Hughes wins and Spieth ties or loses, it will force a playoff between Montgomery and Hughes.

Lowry is eliminated.

GROUP 13: 

If Burns wins or ties, Burns advances.

If Power and Scott each win, it will force a three-way playoff between those two and Burns.

If Power wins and Scott ties or loses, it will force a playoff between Power and Burns.

Hadwin is eliminated.

GROUP 14: 

If Herbert wins or ties, Herbert advances.

If Henley and Griffin each win, it will force a three-way playoff between those two and Herbert.

If Griffin wins and Henley ties or loses, it will force a playoff between Griffin and Herbert.

Hatton is eliminated.

GROUP 15: 

If Young wins or ties, Young advances.

If Young loses, he can still advance if Conners-Thompson tie.

If Conners wins and Young loses, it will force a playoff between those two.

If Thompson wins and Young loses, it will force a playoff between those two.

Straka is eliminated.

GROUP 16: 

If Poston wins or ties, Poston advances.

If Im wins and Poston loses, it will force a playoff between those two.

If Im ties or loses, Poston advances.

Fleetwood and McNealy are eliminated.

EURO EXIT 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Thought we may see a little more of Viktor this week, but that's matchplay for you. Fellow Europeans also leaving the stage early include: Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and Alex Noren. 

DON'T FORGET BOB

Yeah, yeah, Rory... I did that years ago. 

PLAY-OFF DRAMA

A reminder, if there is a tie, or if multiple players are tied, there will be a sudden-death playoff on Friday. Personally, I'm hoping there are a bunch of play-offs - great drama. There is no edging through in second place here - top the group or go home. Tough. 

SETTLE IN

Here we go, then. Friday's action about to commence. The world number one, two and three are all looking pretty strong, but there are plenty of candidates. Not much room for error going forward...

First match tees off in two minutes. Grab a sandwich, put the kettle on and set your out of office. As Rickie Fowler says, 'It's go time.'

3rd matches underway

It's not a beautiful opening hole by any means. That netting down the right of the par-4 1st is a bit of an eyesore. Handy perhaps for amateurs who suffer with a massive slice. No problem for Lee and Taylor. 

SVENSSON IMPRESSING 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This guy has been impressing a lot of people lately. The winner of the RSM Classic is one of a number of talented Canadians on the PGA Tour right now. He's a quick player, too, no hanging around. He blasts one down the 1st in his match with Victor Perez. Hovland and Kirk are up next in a dead rubber affair. No one wants the wooden spoon, I guess. 

BATTLE OF THE TRAINING AIDS

It's all going on on the range. Spieth up to his usual tricks with an alignment stick strapped to his upper half. Kisner, meanwhile, is balancing on a pair of big green balls. Serious stuff. All putting related. Personally, I like to arrive five minutes before my tee time and miss a few putts from 18 inches, but I guess these guys are pros and have a little bit more to play for.  

dead rubbers

Those who have zero chance of progressing have been put out early. Must be hard getting motivated for these matches. How much does pride really come into play? Anyway, not a lot happening right now so here's a picture of Rory McIlroy's putter - the one that'll catch fire in a couple of weeks and give him the Grand Slam at Augusta. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

RAIN ON THE WAY

9/10 o'clock says Colin Swatton. No electricity, which is the good news. The bad news, it's going to be heavy. After that, sun. No wind. Perfect scoring conditions this morning.

We're talking about Rory's tee shot again. Jeez, get over it - we've all driven the ball 375 yards. 

GREEN BALLS 

Earlier today, we brought you the story of Kisner's interesting training aid. Well, here it is. 

matsuyama concedes 

Former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama concedes his match without a ball being struck against Max Homa. It's an injury and probably just a precaution. More on that to follow. 

A GLIMPSE OF ROME? 

Spieth versus Lowry is underway. The Irishman plays a delightful mid range bunker shot from the sand. Spieth has 88 yards to the hole. He's thinned it through the back - advantage Team Europe. 

shoe shout

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Loving Scott Stallings' footwear - NOBULL. Our editor is certainly a big fan. 

SHOT OF THE WEEK CONTENDER 

We'll bring you the shot as soon as we can. Montgomery gets up-and-down on one with an outrageous chip. That was classy. Holes a six-footer to stay tied with Hughes. 

SHOE SHOUT 2

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Adam Svensson is rocking these beauties from Puma. 

LOWRY 2UP

Lowry rolls in a mid range birdie putt on 3. Spieth can't follow him in and the Irishman extends his lead. They go to the par-3 4th. 

PEREZ 4UP

The Frenchman is giving Svensson a schooling. 4UP through 6. May soon be 5UP. He's in a hurry to get outta here. It is 5UP through seven. Start the car. 

NECK INJURY FOR HIDEKI

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It's the Japanese star's neck that has been giving him grief. Hopefully his withdrawal is just a precaution with The Masters just around the corner and we get to see him compete for a second green Jacket in two weeks' time. 

SPIETH 3 DOWN

Spieth with a kick-in birdie on 5. Lowry just about matches him. High class stuff with wedges in hand. They may as well pick them up and move to the next. They don't, though, and there appears to be some chat between the two - smiles all round. Lowry rams his in and so does... no he doesn't. Pulls it from 3ft. Spieth doesn't look quite so comfortable on the shorties. 

FANCY A ROUND?

Following Matsuyama's withdrawal, Homa is left with no one to play with. Not sure if he'd have been allowed to just go out and play a practice round... anyway, he hits the range instead. 

LATEST SCORES

Hughes drains a long one on four to take a 2UP lead on Montgomery. Elsewhere:

Lowry 3UP v Spieth
Taylor 1UP v Lee
Perez 5UP v Svensson
Hovland 1UP v Kirk
Kisner 1UP v Suh

BATTLE OF THE ADAMS

Scott v Hadwin and it's first blood Hadwin.

LOWRY REMAINS 3UP

Spieth looks to be in deep trouble. He makes a mess of his third and runs off the green. Lowry misses a chance from short range to go 4UP. Spieth makes is par. 

RAIN IN THE AIR

No electricity. Just water - but there might be a lot of it soon. No suggestion that will cause play to be suspended. 

Six of the best

Since the group format was introduced in 2015, no WGC Match Play had had the majority of the top 6 seeds making it through to the knockout stage. Could, indeed should, this year be different?

Fifth seed Max Homa is already through and all the other five still have potential routes through to the last 16. Indeed in four of the five cases, the top seed merely has to win his game. The exception is in Group 2 where Jon Rahm has to win and Rickie Fowler also has to win, which will bring about a playoff between those two.

How Top Seeds Tend To Fare In Group Stage

The top-seeded players (the Pool A players) go through to the knockout more often than any of the other four categories, but there is a pretty even split otherwise.

Qualifiers for the Round Of 16, by pool:
A (1-16) – 33%
B (17-32) – 24%
C (33-48) – 20%
D (49-64) - 22%

Knockout stage starts early for some

The WGC Match Play used to be a straight knockout, but this format was not popular with sponsors and television execs as star names could disappear after the first day. It wasn’t popular with all the players necessarily either, especially not when the WGC Match Play went to Australia in 2001. Many players jibbed at flying all that way when they knew that half of them would only play one round of golf. To fill the 64 places that year, the organisers had to go down to the 104th ranked player in the world.

So in 2015 the three-round group stage was introduced to ensure all golfers got three rounds and played three days. However for some, the third round has already become a straight knockout, with some winner-take-all clashes. Such is the case for the three matches to have taken to the course most recently:

Group 4 - Patrick Cantlay vs Brian Harman
Group 9 - Collin Morikawa vs Jason Day
Group 8- Si Woo Kim vs Matt Kuchar

Lowry looks to be dumping Spieth out

Jordan Spieth and Shane Lowry walking down the first fairway (Image credit: Getty Images)

Shane Lowry is already out and he looks to be taking Jordan Spieth with him. For for Spieth to get into a playoff, he needs to win and for the other Group 12 match to go Mackenzie Hughes’ way. Well Hughes is doing the business over Taylor Montgomery – he is 2up – but Spieth is 4 down and has just plonked his tee shot on the 9th into a stream, dropped under penalty, and then thinned his next shot into a tree. “Darn it,” he exclaimed when the ball found wood.

Kuchar still hunting that record

A halved match yesterday means that Matt Kuchar still needs a win tie with Tiger Woods for the most matches won in this event – 36. A win for Kuchar will also take him into the next round and a chance for that record; lose and he is out. He is playing Si Woo Kim and has won the 2nd in par to go 1up.

Group 1 takes to the course

Tom Kim needs to beat Scottie Scheffler to get into a playoff with the No. 1 seed. Anything else happens. then Scheffler is straight through to the knockout. If Kim can force a playoff, then Davis Riley can join in with this if he beats Alex Noren.

Scores in those winner-takes-all clashes

Leader in bold:
Group 4 - Patrick Cantlay vs Brian Harman all square after 5
Group 9 - Collin Morikawa vs Jason Day 2up after 4
Group 8- Si Woo Kim vs Matt Kuchar 1up after 3

Do the maths!

Jason Day has just missed a 10ft putt for birdie on the 5th. The graphic on screen said his make rate from that distance is 38%. The commentator read out the stat, and then said "so that was a rare miss for Day." No, it was a usual miss for Day.

Scheffler wins his opening two holes

Two birdies, Two wins, Simple.

Grandstand finish for Stallings

But not in the way he would have wanted, He hit his drive on the downwind 290-yard par-4 13th into the grandstand, and by this I mean way into it. He is 2up at the mo, but maybe not for long.

Will Zalatoris withdraws through illness

So Ryan Fox wins their Group 7 match. But Fox may end up playing today anyway, in a playoff. How hard will that be, to go cold into a sudden-death playoff? For this to happen, Harris English has to defeat group leader Andrew Putnam. That would result in all three players having 2pts. 

Still something to play for

 After two matches have been conceded in advance through illness/injury, 22 of the 60 players teeing it up in the final round do so knowing that they cannot qualify for the last 16. But there is tapered prize money still on offer, all the way down to 64th position. So the players going out in the group stage still have prize money to play for.

Lowry now drives into that grandstand on 13

He didn't hit his tee shot off a tee peg but the grass. It went way right. There are tables and eating areas in that stand, but it hasn't been a restful place to enjoy a peaceful drink of late. Lowry stil makes par but then Spieth holes his birdie putt, to claw it back to 2 down. 

Whose is doing what in those head-to-heads for the group win?

Leader in bold:
Group 4 - Patrick Cantlay vs Brian Harman 2up after 8
Group 9 - Collin Morikawa vs Jason Day 2up after 7
Morikawa and Day have just halved the par-3 7th with 4s.
Group 8- Si Woo Kim vs Matt Kuchar 3up after 6

All dressed up but nowhere to go

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Justin Suh wore a plain pink shirt on day one, and an all black number on day two. Today he has broken out the flowers for day three- or has he just broken into Rickie Fowler’s locker?

Gotta feel a wee bit sorry for Justin Suh. He started the day knowing that there was an outside chance of getting into the knockout stage through a three-way playoff. He had to beat Kevin Kisner, and Hideki Matsuyama had to beat Max Homa. But Matsuyama has withdrawn due to a neck injury, so Homa was given a walkover, and Suh now has no chance of making the final 16. His match is tied after 11 holes.

So near but so far

Hadwin finds water twice on par-3 11th

From the tee and then from the drop zone, His 3up on Adam Scott becomes 2up.

From the tee and then from the drop zone. His 3up on Adam Scott becomes 2up.

Group 13 latest

Leader in bold:
Sam Burns vs Seamus Power all square after 12
Adam Scott vs Adam Hadwin 2up after 11

Burns’ fate is in his own hands here, as he needs only half a point against Power to progress. But if he loses, he, Power and possibly also Scott (if the Australian manages to come from behind to beat Hadwin) playoff.

Hughes and Monty make it a playoff in Group 12

Mackenzie Hughes beats Taylor Montgomery 6&4, so both end the group on 2pts. They will playoff. Spieth may join them if his fightback against Lowry brings an unlikely victory. Spieth was 5 down after 10, but is now only 2down with 3 to play.

Group 11 latest

Leader in bold:
Scottie Scheffler vs Tom Kim 2up after 7
Alex Noren vs Davis Riley all square after 5

If Scottie wins, he's through to the last 16. Kim has been firing shots to all parts of the course and, in one case, a backgarden,

Rory McIlroy vs Keegan Bradley takes to the course

This is another winner-takes-all match. (If there isn't a winner, then Rory goes through.) McIllroy's opening drive is just short of the green on the par 4. Keegan fires his drive into the spectators on the right-hand side.

Spieth knocked out

When  Spieth's 15ft eagle putt on 16 does not drop, Lowry goes dormie 2. The Group 12 playoff will be a two-way affair: Taylor Montgomery versus Mackenzie Hughes

Kuchar well in control

He is 6up after 10. Four of his winning holes were made with a par. Si Woo Kim has yet to win a hole.

Jason putting daylight between him and his opponent

Jason Day is 3up on Morikawa in this winner-takes-all tie after winning the par-3 11th with a birdie.

Group 3 decider all square

Rory McIlroy and Keegan Bradley traded birdies at the first and pars at the 2nd.

What happens if top spot in a Group is shared?

The only thing that matters is the points total – no tiebreakers involving the head-to-head encounter or owt like that. If two or more players are tied on points at the top of the table it’s sudden-death playoff time.

More gentle language

In popular parlance, playoffs which are not for a set number of holes, are ‘sudden death’. This language may be considered a touch OTT – no-one actually dies. The rules of the WGC Match Play apparently call these ‘hole-by-hole playoffs’ instead.

Poston looking good for a last 16 place

He just has to get a half from his match with Maverick McNealy, and he is 4up after 10.

How those winner-takes-all ties stand

Group 4 - Patrick Cantlay vs Brian Harman 1up after 12
Group 9 - Collin Morikawa vs Jason Day 4up after 12
Group 8- Si Woo Kim vs Matt Kuchar 7up after 11
Group 3 - Rory McIlroy vs Keegan Bradley all square after 3
Leaders in bold

Day misses opportunity 

(Image credit: Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

Jason Day has just missed a 3ft putt that would've put him 5up in his match against Collin Morikawa. The Australian is still well in the driver's seat, still 4up with just five to play. 

Matt Kuchar wins 7&6

The seemingly evergreen Matt Kuchar has advanced out of his group thanks to a breezy 7&6 win against Si Woo Kim. That win ties the record with Tiger Woods for the most wins at the WGC Matchplay (36) - can the 2013 champ go on to beat Tiger's record in his knockout match tomorrow? 

Adam Hadwin beats Adam Scott 3&2

In the pointless battle of the Adams (Sam Burns has already won this group), its the Canadian Adam Hadwin who comes out on top with a 3&2 win. Both will be heading home this afternoon though. 

Burns beats power 2up 

Sam Burns wins group 13 thanks to a 2up victory against Irishman Seamus Power. Burns won all three of his matches to convincingly make it through to the weekend. 

McIlroy and day in control 

Rory McIlroy, who hasn't been forced out of second gear yet today, has just gone 2up against Keegan Bradley. Meanwhile, Jason Day is 4up on Collin Morikawa with just four to play, all but confirming his progression through to the next round. 

Who Is Through So far? 

We're still in the early stages of the final day of the group stages, but we've already got three players through to the weekend's knockout matches:

Max Homa (group 5)
Matt Kuchar (group 8)
Sam Burns (group 13) 

While Max Homa benefitted from Hideki Matsuyama's withdrawal, Kuchar and Burns have both won out on course today.

Jason Day wins 4&3

Next to join Homa, Kuchar and Burns in the knockout stage is Jason Day, who has just finished off Collin Morikawa on the 14th green. Day's rise up the world rankings continues...

Harman Misses another chance

Brian Harman is currently one down against Patrick Cantlay as they both walk to the 17th tee. The left-hander has just missed two huge opportunities on 15 and 16 to level the match and has a lot of work to do to get ahead of the 4th seed. 

WATCH: Tough break for Tom Kim 

Tom Kim's approach on the drivable 13th hole has found the water, but not in conventional circumstances. Watch below as his ball rattles off the grandstand and into the drink...

Cantlay through to round of 16

Patrick Cantlay takes down Brian Harman with a 2&1 win. He's won all threee matches this week and, rather amazingly, that's the first time he's ever made it out of the group stages of this event. He'll face Sam Burns in the round of 16. 

McIlroy 3up against Bradley

It's a cake walk for McIlroy. He's taken all the energy from the drive he hit on the 18th last night and converted that into an imperious performance in his match today against Keegan Bradley. 

Im beats fleetwood 4&3

Sung Jae Im has beaten Tommy Fleetwood but looks unlikely to advance out of group 16 with group leader J.T Poston currently 3up on Maverick McNealy. 

Who's Through? 

So far we've got:

Patrick Cantlay (group 4)
Max Homa (group 5)
Matt Kuchar (group 8)
Jason Day (group 9)
Sam Burns (group 13) 

Playoff underway

We have our first playoff of the day out on the course - Taylor Montgomery vs. Mackenzie Hughes. Hughes had already beaten Montgomery 6&4 earlier today, but its a sudden death shootout down the first hole with the winner advancing to the round of 16. 

It's been a few hours since they shook hands on their match, I wonder whether Montgomery has had time to get his game in better shape than it was this morning? 

Mackenzie Hughes progresses to the last 16 

And the form from the earlier match carries over to the first playoff hole. Montgomery made a horrible mess of the 1st hole and gave Hughes the easiest of wins. 

Rahm off to a sluggish start

Jon Rahm is in a must-win tie against Billy Horschel, but has started slowly and is one down through four holes. To progress, Rahm needs to win while also needing Rickie Fowler not to beat Keith Mitchell in the other game in group 2. 

Hoge moves up on Schaufelle 

Tom Hoge is one up against Xander Schaufelle through 13 holes. With Aaron Wise currently one up against Cam Davis in the other game, this group will go to a playoff between Xander and Wise as things stand. 

Scottie Scheffler wins 3up

The world number one and defending champion Scottie Scheffler is through to the knockout stages after a comfortable win against Tom Kim. That's three wins out of three for the American who's undefeated run at Austin CC continues. He'll play J.T Poston in the next round. 

Horschel Lead Rahm

(Image credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The 2021 champion has been quick out of the blocks today, and takes a two hole lead over Jon Rahm. Even with Rickie Fowler is currently leading Keith Mitchell a win for Billy Ho will be enough to see him through to the next round. 

McIlroy In Cruise Control

I said earlier that Rory hasn't had to get out of second gear so far today, and not much has changed. Now on the 12th hole, Rory has popped himself in lane one of the motorway, engaged his cruise control at 70mph and has settled down into a stint down whatever freeway is closest to Austin. 

In real talk, he's 3up and hasn't looked like losing a hole all day. 

Theegala goes dormie

Sahith Theegala is dormie two against Matt Fitzpatrick. Half a point still isn't enough for the Englishman, so Fitzpatrick is officially knocked out. 

Sorry, Rors

After constructing a very loose analogy about Rory entering some sort of golf version of cruise control, he's just pull hooked his approach shot on the 12th into the water. It went deep into the water too. Bradley has his best chance at winning a hole so far today...

Rahm claws one back

That'll help Jon Rahm out. Billy Horschel misses a relatively short par putt to gift Rahm his first hole of the day. Horschel remains one up though and this match feels like it'll go deep into the afternoon. 

How did he halve that? 

What a bizarre hole. After finding the water, Rory made an up and down for par. Bradley, having found the green under regulation, had two putts for the win... but he three putts it! How Rory has got out of that mess with a halve, I don't know. Back into cruise control for Rory from here.

Theegala wins 2&1

And thus Matt Fitzpatrick's tough week is over. That's the final golf of the week for Sahith Theegala too, who also finished with a 1-2-0 record. It's between J.J Spaun and Min Woo Lee in group 11. 

J.J Spaun advances to the knockouts 

Topping group 11 with a 3-0-0 record, a 2&1 win over Min Woo Lee was just what J.J Spaun needs to advance. That's certainly a surprise winner from that group that also featured Matt Fitzpatrick and Sahith Theegala. 

Sorry again, Rory

Enough of this cruise control nonsense, I'll stop now. Rory has just three putted the 13th green after missing a 4 foot putt. That's the first hole Bradley has won all day, and it's been handed to him on a plate. Rory is still 2up. 

Rahm back to two down

Not good news for Rickie Fowler fans out there (me). Jon Rahm has gone two down again against Billy Horschel through eight holes. Despite Fowler leading his match, a Horschel win will mean he can't qualify. 

Schaufelle and Hoge go down the last

We're all square through 17 in this vital group six match. Xander has won the 17th with just a par and the pair go down the last all square. The other match in group six is also tied, so it really is all to play for here. 

360 For Rory 

(Image credit: Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

It's all gone a bit strange for Rory over the last few holes. One in the water, a missed short putt and now a 360° lip out. He remains 2up over Bradley though.

Schaufelle wins 1up

What a turnaround from Xander. From one down on the 17th tee to one up shaking hands with Tom Hoge. He's through to the knockout phase after going 3-0-0 in the group phase. 

Three man playoff alert

With Tony Finau 4 down against Kurt Kitayama in his match and with Adrian Meronk 5 up in his match, it looks as though Finau, Meronk, and Kitayama will enter a three-way playoff later this afternoon in group 10.  

Who is through to the last 16? 

Right, I think it's time we stopped for a moment and updated who is confirmed through to the round of 16 tomorrow:

Scottie Scheffler (group 1)
Patrick Cantlay (group 4)
Max Homa (group 5)
Xander Schaufelle (group 6)
Matt Kuchar (group 8)
Jason Day (group 9)
J.J Spaun (group 11)
Mackenzie Hughes (group 12)
Sam Burns (group 13) 
Lucas Herbert (group 14)
J.T Poston (group 16)

Russell Henley wins 3&2

A 3&2 win against Tyrrell Hatton sees Russell Henley but doesn't top group 14 thanks to Lucas Herbert's golf in the match ahead. Hatton goes winless this year in Austin. 

Lucas Herbert wins group

An eagle on the 16th hole sees Lucas Herbert guarantee himself more golf this weekend. He's two up with two to play against Ben Griffin. 

He's still out there in his match against Griffin, but that guaranteed half point means he'll top his group 14. 

Rahm in the drink

Already three down in his match against Billy Horschel, Jon Rahm has just sent his ball swimming on the 11th hole. It's a long way back here for the Spaniard...

Confirmed three man playoff

Kitayama has just won his match against Tony Finau 4&3 while Meronk has just won his match 5up. That means group 10 is going to a three man play off which will tee of shortly. 

Rory McIlroy wins 3&2 

Steady in the end from Rory, who comfortable tops his group after a 3&2 win against Keegan Bradley. 

GOOD EVENING ALL! 

Firstly thank you Dan who has put together some excellent coverage today!

If you’re just joining us, there’s plenty going on right now at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play and we could be in for a BIG night with several groups still out on the course and more than one is likely to go to a play off.

First things first though, it’s gone from bad to worse for Jon Rahm who hits the water on the tenth with his tee shot! He’s now putting for bogey and looks to have conceded another! Billy Horschel goes four holes up.

A couple of scores for you from the groups still out on the course to kick things off!

Group 3

McilRoy (2 up) vs Keegan Bradley 

Group 6

Wise vs Davies TIED Thru 17

Group 14

Herbert (2 up) vs Griffin Thru 16

Group 10

Finau vs Kitayama (3 up) Thru 14

Meronk (5 up) vs Bezuidenhout Thru 13

Group 7 

English vs Putnam (3 up) Thru 12

Group 15 

Young vs Straka (5 up) Thru 12

Connors (4 up) vs Thompson Thru 11

Group 2

Rahm vs Horschel (4up) THRU 11

Mitchell vs Fowler (1 up) THRU 10

MCILROY: 'OVERALL EVERYTHING FEELS GOOD'

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy has just come off the course and says he's been gaining more confidence with his new driver set up as the days go by. 

'I think everyone knows I came in here this week with a slightly different driver set up and im getting more confidence with it as the days go by,' he said. 

McIlroy has started the week with a different putter set up too and on his flat stick, the Northern Irishman said: 'I was happier with my putting today especially on the front nine I held some good puts for halfs. Overall everything feels pretty good.'

RULES OFFICIAL 

Jon Rahm has called the rules official in after he seemed to address the ball but the ball moved! The question is whether he had caused the ball to move, conceding the shot. In comes the referee on his buggy as the Spaniard holds his hands on his head! 

RAHM ONE SHOT PENALTY 

The lie is on a dead bit of grass and seemed to roll forward. It looks like he is going to move the ball back. He concedes the one-shot penalty that will put him back again on Horschel after landing the ball in the water at 10. 

Great sportsmanship from Rahm who said to the official: 'It definitely moved after I grounded it.' 

He places his resulting chip less than two feet away from the green. 

ELSEWHERE, SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER MEETS THE FANS!

HORSCHEL HALVES THE HOLE

Billy Horschel halves the hole giving Rahm a reprieve from his penalty shot. 

Horschel stays 4up though with six to play. 

FIRST THREE WAY PLAYOFF IS UNDERWAY

Here we go then! We have our first three way playoff of the night! Tony Finau, Kurt Kitayama and Adrian Meronk have all teed off, with Finau finding the rough with his tee shot, while Kitayama and Meronk both on the fairway. 

Remember it is sudden death in the playoffs, with the first to drop a score ejected. 

RICKIE FOWLER TIES THE HOLE TO STAY 2UP

A lovely winding putt under pressure helps Fowler maintain his lead on the 12th as Keith Mitchell looks to steal a hole back. But Fowler holds his nerve and sinks his putt to remain 2 up. 

FINAU IN TROUBLE

While Kitayama plays a lovely second shot, Finau's shot from the second cut goes too far with the American going too long with his approach shot finding a terrible banking lie behind the hole.

The pressure is starting to ramp up though as Meronk doesn't quite find the distance leaving his chip short. 

HORSHELL STAYS 4 UP

Billy Horschel puts in to halve the hole, despite pressure from Rahm, to stay 4 up  thru 13. 

PUTNAM THROUGH TO THE LAST 16 

Andrew Putnam has completed a clean sweep so far this week, defeating Harris English 4&3 with three holes to play. 

He'll take on whoever wins the three-way playoff between Finau, Kitayama and Meronk.

FINAU STRUGGLES FROM THE ROUGH

Stuck in a tricky lie in some thick weeds behind the green, Finau fails to execute his chip shot up the 20 ft bank to make the green, skulling his ball up the cart path, before it rolls back down to him. He finds the green with his second attempt but this could be the end of his tournament, but putts in for bogey. 

Meronk meanwhile putts to within a foot of the green. 

RORY MCILROY'S FRIDAY SCORECARD 

KITAYAMA HOLES HIS PUTT FOR PAR - FINAU IS OUT

Kurt Kitayama holes his putt for par, putting the pressure back onto Meronk, who slots home from three yards to halve the scores between the pair and take the playoff to the second hole.

Sadly Finau that is the end of the tournament for Tony Finau! 

CAMERON YOUNG BEATS SEPP STRAKA

Cameron Young is through to the round of 16 after beating Sepp Straka 5&3 on the 15th hole, giving the American his third win of the week. 

JON RAHM IS OUT - BILLY HORSHEL BOOKS HIS PLACE TO THE ROUND OF 16

Billy Horschel has claimed a very professional win over Jon Rahm, who couldn't quite kick into gear in this final group stage round. Rahm goes down Horshel 5&4 after he couldn't match Horschel's birdie on the 14th. 

RICKIE FOWLER IS IN THE DRINK! 

Despite being 2 up, Rickie Fowler has found the water with his drive on 14. Fowler needs a quarter-final finish to book his place to the Master's in two weeks! 

MITCHELL FINDS THE SECOND CUT

Mitchell just misses the fairway on the 14th, with Fowler in the water, putting the pressure back on his opponent as he chases his lead. 

PLAYOFF HOLE: MERONK AND KITAYAMA BOTH ON THE GREEN

Meronk's flights his ball right over the water with his approach shot on the second hole, sticking the green to put the pressure back on Kitayama. Yet the American fires back, landing his approach plum on the green. It's neck-and-neck! 

LUCAS HERBERT FANCIES CHANCES AGAINST RORY MCILROY

Speaking after his win against Ben Griffin, Lucas Herbert he's up for the challenge of taking on Rory McIlroy tomorrow in the round of 16. 

He told Sky Sports: 'If I play like I did the last few days there’s no reason I can’t take it to him.'

KITAYAMA WINS THREE-WAY PLAYOFF

Kurt Kitayama nails a stunning 15-foot putt, with Adrian Meronk unable to respond with his putt coming up short. Kitayama, who started the week as the 19th seed, will now progress as the victor of group 10. 

MITCHELL TAKES ONE BACK!

Keith Mitchell has claimed a hole back on the 14th after Rickie Fowler put his tee shot in the drink to bogey the hole! Mitchell holds out with a par lumping the pressure back on Fowler.  

KITAYAMA: 'My heart's pumping right now'

Playoff winner Kurt Kitayama will take on Andrew Putnam tomorrow in the round of 16 but he's given his verdict on winning that three-way playoff. 

'My heart's pumping right now. Just pumped to be moving on.' Kitayama said.

'I think just being able to calm the nerves in the sudden death playoff and being able to stay calm in that situation and not panic definitely helped'

(Image credit: Getty Images)

NO MASTERS FOR RICKIE FOWLER

Sadly for Rickie Fowler, Billy Horschel's win against Jon Rahm will see him miss out on qualify for the Masters this year. Fowler needed a quarter-final finish to be in with a shout of earning enough points to qualify, yet Horschel's win means he will top the group having gone 2-0-1. 

Fowler meanwhile, could finish second in the group, above Rahm, if he beats Keith Mitchell. It would be a big boost for the American who has struggled with form of late. 

He is currently through 15 holes, halving the hole with Mitchell to retain his 1 hole lead with three to play. 

FOWLER AND MITCHELL FIND THE GREEN ON APPROACH

Two superb approach shots from our final group out sees both Rickie Fowler and Keith Mitchel find the green. Fowler still holds a one hole lead through 15!

HERE'S HOW KURT KITAYAMA LOCKED HIS PLACE IN THE ROUND OF 16

FOWLER GOES 2 UP WITH TWO TO PLAY

After a stunning approach shot that was below his feet, fowler taps in from 15-yards to go 2 up going into the final two holes. And there's some great sportsmanship on the green as Keith Mitchell pats him on the back for the excellent putt with as they walk off the green.

PLENTY OF ACTION COMING UP TOMORROW!

Its shaping up to be a huge weekend of golf with some BIG clashes coming on day four of the Match Play. 

With all qualifiers now confirmed, here are the match ups for the last 16...

Scottie Scheffler (1) vs J.T. Poston (43)

Matt Kuchar (59) vs Jason Day (32)

Patrick Cantlay (4) vs Sam Burns (13)

Max Homa (5) vs Mackenzie Hughes (50)

Billy Horschel (22) vs Cameron Young (15)

Andrew Putnam (56) vs Kurt Kitayama (19)

Rory McIlroy (3) vs Lucas Herbert (46)

Xander Schauffele (6) vs J.J. Spaun (61)

FOWLER INTO THE BUSHES ON 17

Rickie Fowler has over-hit his tee shot into the bushes behind the green and looks likely to concede this one, with Keith Mitchell landing his ball plum on the green. 

Looks like this match is set to go right down to the 18th hole!  

PENALTY DROP FOR FOWLER 

Rickie Fowler takes the penalty shot, giving Mitchell two putts to win the hole, and he sends his putt a few inches past the hole. But Fowler admirably concedes, putting him back to just one hole ahead. 

We're onto the 18th hole now!

PAUL MCGINLEY GIVES HIS TAKE ON PROPOSALS TO NERF THE GOLF BALL

Paul McGinley has given his take on whether the PGA Tour should roll back the golf balls professionals use on Tour.

'If August comes out in favour of this [golf ball rollback] I think it's going to happen, but at the moment I'm all good with it [the proposals],' McGinley said.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS SWING FROM FOWLER

TRICKY SHOT FROM FOWLER FROM BEHIND A TREE

Marvellous work from Fowler who has managed to skirt an approach shot on to the 18th green around a tree with what looked like a six-iron. He'll have a difficult chip in from the slope on the fairway - but so will Mitchell, who is in a good position to win the final two holes and half the match. 

RICKIE FOWLER'S PUMA GOLF GEAR

(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rickie Fowler certainly looks the part today and if you want to look like him, check out our guides to the best Puma golf shoes and look out for the Puma shirts on our best golf shirts guide! 

FOWLER EDGES IT

Rickie Fowler holds out to Keith Mitchell to win the final hole and the match by a hole. He'll finish second in the group but will not advance to the round of 16. 

RORY MCILROY: 'I FEEL LIKE I WON THE LAST THREE MATCHES WITH MY BALL STRIKING'

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It's no secret that Rory McIlroy has been tinkering with some of his equipment ahead of the tournament this week. He has made changes to both his putter and driver set-ups and admitted he was pleased with his game at the moment. 

'It feels really good,' McIlroy said after his round. 'I feel like I won the last three matches with my ball striking. I’ve played solid but I feel like I could have held a few more putts yesterday and I could have held a few more on the back nine. 

'The ball striking is really what’s got me to this point,' he added. 'I’m a lot more confident off the tee than I have been in previous weeks and I'm following that up with good iron play.'

He'll take on Lucas Herbert in the next round, and admitted his game matches up in some aspects to the Australian's.

'He’s a really good player has a ton of length and a ton of speed and can be really explosive at times,' the four-time major winner said. 

'I feel like he’s got a slightly similar game to me and I’m looking forward to that match tomorrow.'

MCILROY DROVE THE GREEN WITH A 375-YARD DRIVE, BUT WHAT DRIVER DOES HE PLAY?

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)

A photo posted by on

If you've not seen Rory McilRoy's drive on the 18th yesterday, it is certainly worth a watch! Perhaps one of the best drives we've seen this season, the four-time major winner powered through with a simply enormous swing to put the ball within three yards of the hole. 

McIlroy has reportedly been using a shorter shaft this week and was driving 'beautifully' at a recent visit to Augusta National. But boy was that some strike! 

If you're wondering what club he uses, McIlroy is an ambassador for TaylorMade and has recently switched his game up to use the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver a stunning club that we loved playing with when we got to test it out on the course. The Stealth 2 is the latest addition to TaylorMade's excellent range of drivers and is one of the best clubs for distance on offer right now. For more advice on what driver might best suit your abilities, check out our guide to the best golf driver where we run through some of the biggest and best drivers the pros are playing right now! 

MATT WALLACE LEADES CORALES PUNTACANA CHAMPIONSHIP

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Elsewhere on the PGA Tour, England's Matt Wallace currently leads the Corales Puntacana Championship after day two of the tournament. After striking an excellent first round 67 and a second round 66, the British golfer now sits alone at the top of the leaderboard by a shot, at -11. Sam Stevens and Wyndham Clarke make up the immediate chasers, trailing him at -10, while Tyler Duncan, Akshay Bhatia, Brice Garnett and Nicolai Hojgaard all follow at -8.

MATT KUCHAR GOES DOWN IN HISTORY

(Image credit: Future)

It was a historic day for Matt Kuchar, who claimed a 7&6 win against Si Woo Kim on Friday to help him advance to the next round of the tournament. It was his 36th win at the tournament, extending his all-time record at the tournament to 36-11-5 (W-L-D). He'll tie Tiger Woods for the most ever wins at the event, and can go one better than the 15-time major winner should he win tomorrow against Jason Day. 

TOUGH DAY FOR JON RAHM

While it was our upset of the day, Billy Horschel pulled off an excellent win against World No 2 Jon Rahm. It is the Spaniard's second loss of the week, with Horschel claiming the top spot, with Rickie Fowler's win against Keith Mitchell, pushing the 2021 US Open winner down to third in the Group 2 standings. 

Horschel was consistent throughout Friday, only slipping up on the 6th hole where he conceded a bogey. Rahm, meanwhile had a much more turbulent start, making a double bogey on the second hole, another bogey on the 8th and another double on the 11th. 

TEN OF TOP 20 RANKED PLAYERS WILL MISS OUT ON QUALIFIERS

Of the 20 top seeded players at the event nine big names will now miss out on qualification after they failed to progress following the opening rounds at the tournament. 

That will include Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama, Will Zalatoris, Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jordan Spieth, Tyrell Hatton and SungJae Im.

RECAP: TOP STORIES FROM FRIDAY AT THE DELL TECHNOLOGIES MATCH PLAY

So as we wind down for the night, let's recap on some of the big headlines coming out of Friday's group stages.

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will both advance to the last-16 of the tournament, while World No 2 Jon Rahm crashed out following his defeat to Billy Horschel. 

---

Kurt Kitayama defeated both Tony Finau and Adrian Meronk in a three-way playoff to advance to top the group and advance to the last 16. 

Meanwhile, Mackenzie Hughes beat Taylor Montgomery in the Group 12 playoff to book his place in the next round. 

---

J.J. Spaun heads into the next round as the highest ranking golfer, seeded 61 in the event, despite having claimed a clean sweep of wins this week already. 

Matt Kuchar, the oldest player in the field, tied Tiger Woods' record to win his 36th match at the event in his career, the most of any player at the Championships. He will also advance to the next round to take on Jason Day.

GOODNIGHT FROM US, TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR COVERAGE OF SATURDAY'S MATCHES

That's all from me tonight, but we'll be back tomorrow with more coverage of Saturday's matches. 

For now I'll leave you with a run down of the ties to look forward to. Rory McIlroy's match against Lucas Herbert is looking like it could be one of the biggest matches of the day, while Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay are due to go head-to-head in what'll be a huge clash that you're not going to want to miss. 

Check back here tomorrow for more live updates, reaction and news from the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play!

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