Jason Day showed no ill effects from his achy back on Thursday at the WGC Match Play.
All the world’s No. 2 did was drive the 372-yard opening hole at Austin Country Club and roll in a 12-foot eagle putt to start his match against Thongchai Jaidee. He won the second hole to go 2-up and never looked back.
“It’s not too bad,” Day said of his sore back after disposing of Jaidee, 4&3. “I came out not knowing whether I would play of not,” Day recounted. “But I warmed up nicely and kept stretching as the day went on.”
Day went to 2-0 to join Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy as the top players in the world are all unbeaten through the first two days.
Spieth cruised to a 5&4 win over Victory DuBuisson of France.
“Great,” Spieth said of his play. “My swing’s been coming around. I had one bad swing on 11. Very pleased to get today done with quickly — doin’ our job,” said the world’s No. 1. Spieth added that the key to his first two wins were “quick starts.”
McIlroy continued to struggle and trailed in his match with Smylie Kaufman but McIlroy got his game together over the final six holes to win 3&1. “I feel like the longer the match goes on, the better my chances are,” said the defending champion.
Joining the top three seeds in the 2-0 club were Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Louie Oosthuizen, Andy Sullivan, Charl Schwartzel, Kevin Na, Bill Haas, Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka.
Justin Rose staged a nice comeback late in the day, winning the final two holes to earn a halve with Anirban Lahiri.
Adam Scott got his first victory in a long time. He hasn’t won a match the past two match play events until Thursday.
Friday will be the last day of round-robin play. The winners in each of the 16 groups will head to the weekend where it becomes single-elimination.
