Most of the big names have left town.
Thank goodness for world’s No. 2 — Justin Thomas.
Thomas played up a storm Friday at the WGC Match Play in Austin and he’s the lone high-ranked player left in the field of 16 as elimination play begins on Saturday.
Thomas had a hot hand Friday. He was nine-under par through 13 holes and that’s all it took for him to send Fracesco Molinari packing — 7 and 5.
Sergio Garcia, the seventh overall seed, the was only other top 10 player to make it into the round of 16.
Upsets galore.
Brian Harmon sent Rory McIlroy home and will play in the final 16.
Bubba Watson’s there. He’s played well all week and faces Harmon Saturday morning.
In the day’s most ballyhooed match, Patrick Reed took advantage of a poor showing by Jordan Spieth and sent the Open champion home early, prevailing 2-and-1 in their match. Spieth was over par for the day after a double-bogey, double-bogey start. His opening tee shot went out-of-bounds, far right and that set the tone for a miserable overall performance by Spieth.
