Rory McIlroy stays on course in Match Play Championship
World number one and top seed Rory McIlroy beat Brandt Snedeker on Thursday, setting up a showdown with FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel for a place in the last 16 at the WGC-Match Play Championship.
McIlroy prevailed 2-up against Snedeker in day two action and Horschel was a 3&2 winner over Jason Dufner to leave both men 2-0 in group play heading into Friday’s head-to-head clash at TPC Harding Park.
World number one and top seed Rory McIlroy beat Brandt Snedeker on Thursday, setting up a showdown with FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel for a place in the last 16 at the WGC-Match Play Championship.
McIlroy prevailed 2-up against Snedeker in day two action and Horschel was a 3&2 winner over Jason Dufner to leave both men 2-0 in group play heading into Friday’s head-to-head clash at TPC Harding Park.
The match tomorrow, it’s win or go home so it’s back to the usual format and I’m looking forward to it
The Northern Irishman seemed comfortably in control of the match at 2-up through 10 holes but Snedeker rallied with birdies on 11 and 12 to square the match.
McIlroy wrestled the lead back with a birdie on the 15th before closing it out on the 18th hole.
“I did what I needed to do against Brandt today. I felt like I played very solid tee to green and made a few birdies so that’s nice,” said McIlroy.
“The match tomorrow, it’s win or go home so it’s back to the usual format and I’m looking forward to it.
Horschel took charge early against Dufner with a birdie on the opening hole and was never headed, effectively cruising to victory.
World number four Bubba Watson made light work of fellow major winner Keegan Bradley 4&2 to set up another win-and-you’re-in scenario with the man he conquered in a play-off to win the 2012 Masters, South African Louis Oosthuizen.
Oosthuizen, a former British Open champion won 2-up against Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez.
American Rickie Fowler and Australian John Senden clinched spots in the round of 16 ahead of day three matches thanks to other results in their pools.
Among the big-name casualties with no chance to advance are former world number one Adam Scott, as England’s Paul Casey beat the Australian 1-up to leave him winless.
Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell and match-play specialist Ian Poulter were also knocked out of contention with their second losses of the tournament.
