The WGC Match Play down in Austin has pretty much gone the way match play usually goes.
You have big stars bowing out, other big stars battling to stay the weekend and a lot of surprises.
The good folks down at Austin Country Club are keeping their fingers crossed that some big names will survive today’s matches and make it into the elimination round of 16 that begins on Saturday.
Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are the biggest names with a chance to stay.
Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm, the championship match from last year, are both gone after Friday.
Spieth battles Ryder Cup teammate Patrick Reed in a match that may draw the tournament’s largest gallery, championship match included. They square off in the afternoon and with Spieth being a UT alum, the crowd will be on his side.
McIlroy can make it if he can beat Brian Harman, perhaps the only guy in the field who is shorter than McIlroy.
Sergio Garcia and Xander Schauffele are both 2-0 and square off to see who goes from Group 7.
One of the surprise performers this week is Ian Poulter. Poulter when back to an old putter he once used in Ryder Cup play and he’s been putting the eyes out of it, going 2-0 with a good chance to advance to Saturday. He plays Kevin Chappell who hasn’t had it this week.
Bubba Watson has been a birdie machine on his way to 2-0 and can advance if he beats Julian Suri.
Group 13 unbeaten Alex Noren and Tony Finau should put on a good show. Tyrrell Hatton is unbeaten (Group 12) as is Charles Howell III (Group 14).
There are also a whole lot of meaningless matches today, guys going home regardless of whether they win or lose.
Such is match play.
It can be great or it can lay an egg.
Only problem is four guys on the course on Sunday.
And all that means is a lot of television commercials.
