WGC-Dell Match Play 2023 standings, scores: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy among big names moving forward

news7g03/25/2023

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WGC-Dell Match Play 2023 standings, scores: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy among big names moving forward

For the most part, the stars came to compete at the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Defending champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler continued his stellar form at Austin Country Club, edging out his group with a perfect 3-0-0 record. As a result, former Texas Longhorn has improved his career record in this championship to 13-2-2 and will face JT Poston in the Round of 16.

“Its simplicity [match play] That’s what I like,” said Scheffler. “Even if the guy is good at golf, I know what I have to do. Sometimes you’re under the saw buzz, it happens. I stumbled across a few buzz saws at the Presidents Cup last year, and it happened. Overall, I feel that if I play my best, then I will win the game. That’s what I’m focused on: Go out on the pitch, play your best and start from there.”

Scheffler isn’t the only big name still flawless in the Lone Star State. Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Cameron Young and Jason Day all recorded 3-0-0 in the group stage. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the world’s top players. World No. 2 Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau and Tyrrell Hatton were all sent out early.

While there are plenty of elite players in the mixed pool heading into the knockout stages, the marathon weekend won’t be complete without Cinderella stories. Along with Poston, JJ Spaun, Lucas Herbert and Andrew Putnam were the lower seeds with 3-0-0 in the first three days. They aim to join the likes of Billy Horschel and Kevin Kisner as the surprise winners of this event in Austin.

Let’s see what Day 3 goes like at Austin Country Club.

Player of the group stage

The first three days belong to young and new caddy Paul Tesori. Perhaps still in the honeymoon phase, the pair have completely dominated the competition in the group stage. After hitting nine threes in a row on his previous nine on Wednesday on his way to victory, Young took on Corey Conners for a 1 UP win on Thursday. The reigning Rookie of the Year on the PGA Tour resurfaced on Friday, as he started his round with seven birdies in the first 12 holes for a dominating win over Sepp Straka.

Best performance

Day, a two-time WGC Match Play champion, needs a draw or better against two-time major champion Morikawa to move forward. The two trade after the top nine before Day takes control in the first leg. In total, the former world No. 1 scored 6 birdies in 15 holes and took out Morikawa with relative ease. The Australian hasn’t won since the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship, but he’s just four matches away from returning to the winners’ circle and overtaking Tiger Woods for the most WGC Match Play titles. .

“It’s hard to give an exact date when I’ll break out,” Day said. “Every day I wake up just trying to improve, learn and get better as a player. Sooner or later, it doesn’t matter. I’m just trying to improve my game. .”

Tiger’s record in jeopardy

Matt Kuchar joined the elusive company with his beat Si Woo Kim 7 & 6. Winning his 36th career match at the WGC Match Play, Kuchar joined Woods for the most wins in championship history. He’ll have a chance to overtake the 15-time major champion if he beats Day in Round 16.

“[The record] came to my mind last night after I missed that 6-foot shot to win the game. That’s something – come here, I don’t know. I had to be told. Definitely very cool. The aim of this tournament is to continue to win matches, and I want to win this match so I can go on to the round of 16. So that’s the main focus,” Kuchar said. Tiger’s chance of winning any of the records is a great one. That’s what I still find baffling that I’m saying that, that I’ve tied one of his records. So I am extremely proud, satisfied. I’m sure there are 300 more records coming out, but it’s exciting to be able to say that.”

Match of the day

In a winner-takes-all match, Cantlay exacted his revenge exactly one season ago against Brian Harman. The two met in the 2022 championship when Harman beat Cantlay and then took the top spot in the playoffs. No more holes were needed this time as the world No. 4 reached the knockout stages for the first time in his career. After being DOWN 1 GO on the fourth hole, Cantlay returned and slammed the door with three birdies in the last five holes to win 2 & 1.

“I’ve been playing really well for about a month,” Cantlay said. “I’m so excited about all the major golf tournaments coming up. I’ve never been to a weekend in this event before, so I’m excited to be in tomorrow’s game against Sam [Burns].”

most disappointing

After winning his first game against Mackenzie Hughes, Jordan Spieth fell to Taylor Montgomery and Shane Lowry in head-to-head days, unable to progress past the group stage. The disappointing culmination of his week in Austin marks the third since early March. Appearing briefly at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Valspar Championship and now WGC Match Play, Spieth has his eye on Augusta National for the 2023 Masters. He’s hitting the iron with precision, but the big misfire continues. persisted and got him in trouble more times than not at Austin CC.

best break

Schauffele only needs a draw to get through his group, but it looks like he’ll be out soon. Heading into the 17th par-3 hole after Tom Hoge 1 DOWN, Schauffele’s tee shot went straight into the box. Hit the rock, Schauffele’s ball rises into the air and stops in play. Winning game 17 overall, Schauffele would win the match 1 UP with a birdie on the closing hole.

worst break

Temporary immobilized object (TIO) relief is a hot topic starting in 2023. On Friday, TIO fought back when Tom Kim attempted to cross the green on a short par-4 on day 13.’s ball. Kim bounced off the stands and found the protective pond in front of the green. He will continue on par after knocking down on the putting surface and tying Scheffler on the hole.