Tiger Woods Down, But Not Yet Out at Match Play
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- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-03-29
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
AUSTIN, Texas — Tiger Woods lost his match and got off easy.
At least he still has a chance in the Dell Technologies Match Play.
Brooks Koepka needed to birdie the 18th hole at Austin Country Club to avoid elimination, and he was out of luck when Li Haotong hit a wedge from the rough that stopped inches from the cup.
For players like Keegan Bradley, Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson, a tie felt like a loss because that’s exactly what it was.
They all were among 20 players — a group that includes defending champion Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson — who were mathematically eliminated on the second day. With one round-robin sessions remain, the Match Play began to take shape, not so much from who has the best chance to advance out of group play into the weekend knockout stage, but who has to show up for a match knowing they’re going home, win or lose.
Woods, who lost on the 17th hole to Brandt Snedeker, can still advance if he wins his match and Snedeker loses or halves his match.
“All I can do is hopefully get a point tomorrow and see if that’s good enough,” Woods said.
Jordan Spieth is still alive after building a 6-up lead through 12 holes on Kevin Na, but not winning until four holes later when Na missed a 4-foot birdie putt. Jim Furyk and Henrik Stenson emerged with 2-0 records from the group of major champions.
They play after knocking out Phil Mickelson and Jason Day.
“It’s going to be a tough one again,” Stenson said. “Jim, I don’t think he’s given away an easy bogey since 1994 or something.”
Snedeker took advantage of too many mistakes by Woods off the tee and on the greens for a 2-and-1 victory, a big one for Snedeker because of his opponent’s name and reputation. But it was just one win.
“I knew I was playing good, so I was excited about the opportunity,” Snedeker said. “I turned into Tiger’s biggest fan tomorrow going forward, because I need him to go out there and beat Patrick (Cantlay) tomorrow.”
Snedeker first has to beat Aaron Wise, who was eliminated when Cantlay beat him, and he would only advance if Woods beats Cantlay. Otherwise, Snedeker could face a sudden-death playoff against Cantlay if he wins or against Woods if Snedeker ties his match.
Several groups are like that.
“See you on the first tee tomorrow,” Billy Horschel said with a smile and a wink to Spieth.