An undefeated Adam Scott is the only Australian through to the final 16 at the World Golf Championships-Match Play after a stirring victory over local favourite Jordan Spieth in Texas.
Scott was never behind on the scoreboard throughout the match against three-time Major winner Spieth. The Australian had raced to a three-hole lead early on in the round at Austin Country Club. The 2013 Masters winner Scott then increased his advantage to four holes after the 12th. When both made par at the 16th, Scott secured a 3-and-2 victory.
Returning to the WGC-Match Play for the first time since 2016 has proved a good move for Scott given two pool victories and a halve against Keegan Bradley will build his confidence heading to the Masters in two weeks.
“I played solid today, I’m happy with my game,” former world No.1 Scott said after the match. “Jordan didn’t make a putt today and that’s always tough in match play.
“I’d like to have closed it out in better style (by not missing a birdie putt at the 16th) but I’m happy to move through.”
Scott said he could feel the crowd on Spieth’s side given the 2015 Masters winner was raised in Dallas before attending the University of Texas in Austin.
But Scott said he also felt the love given he is the only golfer in history to win the ‘Texas Slam’; victories in every PGA Tour event in the Lone Star state – Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Fort Worth.
“(Support for Spieth) was to be expected and well deserved, he’s a great guy and playing in his home state but I’ve had some success in the state of Texas and felt the support,” Scott said.
Scott progresses to the final 16 and will play Kevin Kisner on Saturday morning local time for a place in the quarter finals.
Scott’s fellow Australian Min Woo Lee halved his match against Tom Hoge but the Australian was eliminated as Billy Horschel advanced from Lee’s group.
Marc Leishman defeated Luke List in his match but was already assured of not going through to the final 16. Lucas Herbert missed a short putt to lose a sudden-death playoff against Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, who advanced from Herbert’s group.
