WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play match previews Day 3
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AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 28: Jim Furyk of the United States plays his shot from the third tee in his match against Phil Mickelson of the United States during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 28, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Round 2 highlights at WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play
AUSTIN, Texas – Everything goes on the line on Friday with multiple scenarios still in the mix as we try to get to our final 16 who make it to the weekend at Austin Country Club. Four-man playoff anyone? With only 20 of the 64 players officially without any hope of advancing, plenty of excitement awaits.
MATCH PLAY: Scores | Group Standings | Bracket | Group scenarios | Day 2 match recaps | Watch PGA TOUR LIVE, 10:15 a.m. ET
FOR ALL THE MARBLES
Henrik Stenson (37) vs. Jim Furyk (52) – These two veterans come together knowing the winner advances. Despite being around match play for decades the pair have never gone head to head before. Both took down fellow major winners Jason Day and Phil Mickelson to get here.
Justin Rose (2) vs. Gary Woodland (22) – Woodland actually has the upper hand in this match given a tie would send him through, but it can only be one of these two make the weekend. FedExCup champion Rose fought back late to earn a half on Thursday allowing him the knowledge a win against Woodland will be enough to advance.
FOUR-MAN PLAYOFF?
Xander Schauffele (9) vs. Rafa Cabrera Bello (29) – Should Cabrera Bello beat Schauffele in this match, he might force his way into a playoff with the former Rookie of the Year. That playoff in Group 9 could contain four men if Lee Westwood finds a way to beat countryman Tyrrell Hatton (see below). Schauffele is guaranteed at worst a playoff if he wins.
Tyrrell Hatton (35) vs. Lee Westwood (62) – Like above, Westwood can give himself a chance at a playoff if he can beat Hatton. Hatton can secure himself at least a playoff if he wins. If Westwood prevails and Cabrera Bello does likewise in the above match, all four will go to sudden death! Read about all group scenarios here:
Tony Finau (14) vs. Ian Poulter (30) – A win for either man guarantees at the very least a playoff to advance against a potential winner in the Kisner/Mitchell match. A tie could be enough to force a four-man showdown in Group 14, but only if the above-mentioned match also ends in a tie.
Kevin Kisner (48) vs. Keith Mitchell (56) – See above. Just switch the names.
MUST WIN FOR TIGER
Tiger Woods (13) vs. Patrick Cantlay (18) – After a loss to Brandt Snedeker, three-time champion Woods faces an uphill battle to advance to the weekend knockout phase. First, Woods must beat Cantlay and then hope winless Aaron Wise can find a way to either beat or tie Snedeker in their match. If Wise and Woods win, Woods advances. If Wise ties and Woods wins, he will go into a sudden death playoff with Snedeker looking for revenge. Read about Woods’ loss here.
PRIDE ONLY
Jason Day (12) vs. Phil Mickelson (20) – As the top two seeds in Group 12, you would have figured this match would have been more consequential to the tournament. Instead, it is a battle of two winless men perhaps looking for a little Presidents Cup mental edge. They are also mindful of FedExCup implications. Read about that here.
Expert Picks for every match
PGATOUR.COM staff writers Ben Everill and Mike McAllister are on site in Austin and will predict the winner of every match each day. Here are their Day 3 picks (matches listed in order of playing schedule):
MATCH | Everill's pick | McAllister's pick |
Pepperell vs. Grillo | Pepperell | Pepperell |
Day vs. Mickelson | Day | Day |
Stenson vs. Furyk | Stenson | Furyk |
Thomas vs. Bradley | Thomas | Thomas |
Wallace vs. Bjerregaard | Bjerregaard | Bjerregaard |
Woods vs. Cantlay | Woods | Cantlay |
Snedeker vs. Wise | Snedeker | Snedeker |
Mcilroy vs. Fitzpatrick | McIlroy | McIlroy |
Harding vs. List | List | Harding |
Schauffele vs. Cabrera Bello | Schauffele | Schauffele |
Hatton vs. Westwood | Hatton | Hatton |
Rahm vs. Kuchar | Rahm | Rahm |
Holmes vs. Kim | Holmes | Holmes |
Reed vs. Garcia | Garcia | Garcia |
Lowry vs. Putnam | Lowry | Lowry |
Johnson vs. Matsuyama | Johnson | Johnson |
Grace vs. Reavie | Grace | Grace |
Fleetwood vs. Oosthuizen | Fleetwood | Oosthuizen |
Stanley vs. An | Stanley | Stanley |
DeChambeau vs. Leishman | Leishman | DeChambeau |
Aphibarnrat vs. Knox | Aphibarnrat | Aphibarnrat |
Finau vs. Poulter | Finau | Poulter |
Kisner vs. Mitchell | Kisner | Kisner |
Koepka vs. Noren | Noren | Noren |
Li vs. Lewis | Li | Li |
Casey vs. Smith | Casey | Casey |
Howell vs. Ancer | Howell | Howell |
Molinari vs. Simpson | Molinari | Molinari |
Olesen vs. Kodaira | Olesen | Olesen |
Watson vs. Spieth | Spieth | Spieth |
Horschel vs. Na | Horschel | Horschel |
Rose vs. Woodland | Woodland | Woodland |
TOTALS (through 2 days) | 30-22-12 | 32-20-11 |