The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play tournament got underway on Wednesday at the Austin Country Club.
Wednesday’s opening round was the first of three days of group play, consisting of 32 matches each day. This tournament is unique as it places the players into 16 four-man pools. After Friday, the player with the best record in each pool will advance to knockout play.
Knockout play will be two rounds on Saturday and two rounds on Sunday. Knockout play is similar to the March Madness tournament, where two players will compete only against each other, and the winner advances to the next round.
This is the only PGA Tour event where golfers match up in head-to-head competitions.
Austin Country Club is a perfect site for the unique format as it provides an offering of risk-reward holes.
The top golfers did well on the first day of action.
In Group One, World No.1 golfer Jon Rahm defeated Sebastian Munoz, 4 and 2. Munoz sought his first victory at the event after going 0-3 in his debut last year. One of those losses last year was a 1-up setback to Rahm. Meanwhile, Rahm moved to 11-5-3 in the event.
In Group Two, World No.2 golfer Collin Morikawa defeated Robert MacIntyre, 2 and 1. A year ago, Morikawa had a tough debut at this event, tying one match and losing two others. In contrast, Scotland’s MacIntyre advanced to the Round of 16 in Austin a year ago.
World No.3 golfer Viktor Hovland defeated Sepp Straka, 1-up in Group Three play. The only top-five golfer not to win his opening match was World No.4 golfer Patrick Cantlay, who tied with Keith Mitchell.
World No.5 golfer and finalist in last year’s event, Scottie Schefler, was victorious by 2 and 1 over Ian Poulter in Group Five play. Scheffler improved to 5-1-2 overall at this event.
Last year’s event winner was world No.12 golfer Billy Horschel, who won by 3 and 2 over Min Woo Lee. Horschel made five birdies during his convincing victory.
Another golfer who shined was world No.50 golfer, Alex Noren, playing in Group Ten. He was 1-up on world No.10 Louis Oosthuizen. Noren is playing in his sixth WGC-Match Play and holds an impressive 14-5-0 record.
Oosthuizen was one of just three top 16 seeds who lost their opening match. World No.6 golfer Justin Thomas fell to Luke List, 3 and 2. While, world No.10 golfer Joaquin Niemann fell to Maverick McNealy, the lowest-ranked golfer in the field, 8 and 6.
After his upset win, McNealy was asked about his unique first name and provided a memorable quote.
“[My brothers and I are] all named after American cars,” he said. “Ford Maverick, Dodge Dakota, I think the Dodge Colt and International Scout.”
WGC-Match Play continues today. For live results and a list of all other results from the first day of action, visit the PGA Tour website.
