Sam Burns came through 119 holes to capture the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, his fifth and biggest win on the PGA Tour. In the final he thumped Cameron Young by 6&5 after a slow start before then recording a whopping eight birdies in the final 10 holes.
For part of the day it looked like we’d be treated to a Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy final but they had to settle for a consolation match in which McIlroy sneaked past the World No. 1 by 2&1.
Burns picked up an incredible $3.5m for his efforts while for Young it was his sixth runners-up spot which includes The Open at St Andrews last year.
The 26-year-old Burns, who holed a 15-footer to beat Scheffler at the 21st hole earlier, was pretty much faultless after the first few holes and a hat-trick of birdies from the 4th moved him ahead for the first time.
From there Young couldn't get near him. The birdie at the 8th was maybe the pick of the bunch and he closed out the match with four straight birdies, reducing par 5s into very comfortable two-shotters while also rolling in putts from distance elsewhere.
He has already played on one Presidents Cup side and he will now be a banker to make his Ryder Cup debut later this year in Italy.
“What a week. I’m so tired,” Burns said after the victory. "I felt like I found something towards the end of my match with Scottie and was able to carry that on this afternoon. It means a lot. I’ve been in a play-off in a WGC before and I ultimately didn’t get it done.
“I knew that it was going to be a great match against Cam, he’s been playing so well all week. He probably played the best of anyone all week. To be able to battle with him today, it was a blast.”
Burns becomes the first player to win the on his debut appearance since Geoff Ogilvy in 2006.
For McIlroy he will head to Augusta National in good spirits with just one defeat in seven outings – Young beat him at the first extra hole in the sem-finals – and with a new driver and putter working well, his sights will now quickly turn to completing that Grand Slam.
WGC Dell Technologies Match Play Day 5 Results
SUNDAY'S FINAL AND CONSOLATION MATCHES
- CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Cameron Young (15) vs Sam Burns (13) 6&5
- CONSOLATION MATCH: Rory McIlroy (3) vs Scottie Scheffler (1) 2&1
SUNDAY'S SEMI-FINAL MATCHES
- Winners in bold followed by the score
- Scottie Scheffler (1) vs Sam Burns (13) 21 holes
- Rory McIlroy (3) vs Cameron Young (15) 19 holes
*Numbers indicate ranking positions.
WGC Dell Technologies Match Play Day 4 Results
SATURDAY'S ROUND OF 16 MATCHES
- Winners in bold followed by the score
- Max Homa (5) vs Mackenzie Hughes (50) 3&2
- Patrick Cantlay (4) vs Sam Burns (13) 2&1
- Matt Kuchar (59) vs Jason Day (32) 1up
- Scottie Scheffler (1) vs J.T. Poston (43) 1up
- Xander Schauffele (6) vs J.J. Spaun (61) 3&2
- Rory McIlroy (3) vs Lucas Herbert (46) 2up
- Andrew Putnam (56) vs Kurt Kitayama (19) 6&5
- Billy Horschel (22) vs Cameron Young (15) 5&4
*Numbers indicate ranking positions.
SATURDAY'S QUARTER FINAL MATCHES
- Winners in bold followed by the score
- Sam Burns (13) vs Mackenzie Hughes (50) 3&2
- Scottie Scheffler (1) vs Jason Day (32) 2&1
- Rory McIlroy (3) vs Xander Schauffele (6) 1up
- Cameron Young (15) vs Kurt Kitayama (19) 1up
*Numbers indicate ranking positions.
USEFUL LINKS
- WGC Match Play Purse and Prize Money
- WGC Dell Technologies Betting Picks
- WGC Match Play Power Rankings
- How can you play Austin Country Club?
BIG DAY AHEAD
We have reached the knockout stages of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play - with both the round of 16 and Quarter-Final Matches to be played on Saturday.
WEATHER FOR SATURDAY
The good news is that the weather looks great for the weekend, so the action should not be interrupted.
SATURDAY MORNING TEE TIMES (CDT/GMT)
- 7.35am/12.35pm Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes
- 7.46am/12.46pm Patrick Cantlay vs Sam Burns
- 7.57am/12.57pm Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day
- 8.08am/1.08pm Scottie Scheffler vs J.T. Poston
- 8.19am/1.19pm Xander Schauffele vs J.J. Spaun
- 8.30am/1.30pm Rory McIlroy vs Lucas Herbert
- 8.41am/1.41pm Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama
- 8.52am/1.52pm Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young
WHO WILL WIN?
No huge surprise in the odds on Saturday morning, with world number one Scottie Scheffler just favourite ahead of Rory McIlroy.
MATCH OF THE DAY (MORNING)
Billy Horschel v Cameron Young - Young shot 27 on the front nine on Wednesday and is playing very well. Horschel is always a danger round this course having won at Austin Country Club in 2021. This should be a cracker.
Not playing to the max
First game out is Max Homa against Mackenzie Hughes, which will be in around half an hour. Perhaps the organisers thought Homa would be raring to get going, having sat out the third day. Homa’s match with Hideki Matsuyama did not take place as Matsuyama withdrew with a neck injury. Will this lack of action hinder or help Homa? He has less experience of the course than his opponent, but he is fresher. At least Homa gets a third game. Ryan Fox did not get to play his final group game, and he hasn’t qualified for the knockouts.
Who were the top seeded players in the groups who did not get through and who qualified instead?
Group 2: Jon Rahm & Billy Horschel (22)
Group 7: Will Zalatoris & Andrew Putnam (56)
Group 8: Viktor Hovland & Matt Kuchar (59)
Group 9: Collin Morikawa & Jason Day (32)
Group 10: Tony Finau & Kurt Kitayama (19)
Group 11: Matt Fitzpatrick & J.J. Spaun (61)
Group 12: Jordan Spieth & Mackenzie Hughes (50)
Group 14: Tyrrell Hatton & Lucas Herbert (46)
Group 16: Sungjae Im & J.T. Poston (43)
Pools winners
The draw for the four-man groups were divided into pools, based upon the player’s ranking: 1-16 seeded players in Pool A, 17-32 in B, 33-48 in C, and 49-64 in Pool D. Here’s where the last 16 qualifiers have come from:
Pool A – 7
Pool B – 3
Pool C – 2
Pool D – 4
Which combinations can and cannot make a final pairing?
The draw has separated the competitors into two halves, and one player from each half will make it through to the final tomorrow afternoon.
The first half of the draw is: Max Homa, Mackenzie Hughes, Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns, Matt Kuchar, Jason Day, Scottie Scheffler and J.T. Poston.
The second half of the draw is: Xander Schauffele, J.J. Spaun, Rory McIlroy, Lucas Herbert, Andrew Putnam, Kurt Kitayama, Billy Horschel and Cameron Young
Hundred percent records
Twelve players have these thus far; in addition, Billy Horschel and Matt Kuchar are undefeated. Only playoff victors, Kurt Kitayama and Mackenzie Hughes have lost a match. Previously the highest number of undefeated players to go through to the Last 16 at Austin had been 8. A dozen players had also gone through undefeated ot the Last 16 in 2015, at TPC Harding Park, but in those days all matches were played out to victory, halves were not possible.
And we’re underway
The first match of the knockout stage has teed off, Max Homa is playing the hole for the third time at this year’s WGC Match Play; Mackenzie Hughes for the fifth time.
Homa missed the fairway left. Hughes is on the right-hand side of the fairway, running down onto it from a small bank.
'Great shot!' says Homa's caddie
As his man finds the green from a tricky position an inch or two above a bunker and in the rough. Hughes plays next and hits his approach inside Homa's.
Homa and Hughes both birdie first hole
Decent putt that by Homa, which will have helped his confidence. Cantlay and Burns are now on the 1st tee.
Cantlay drives way off to the right on 1st
Sam Burns then hits his opening shot right down the middle of the fairway.
Haven't we seen you here before?
Matt Kuchar is now on the 1st tee, playing Jason Day. Kuchar is the only player to reach the round of 16 five times since this tournament moved to Austin Country Club in 2016. That is despite not playing in this event last year. A win for Kuchar would be record-breaking 37th one at the WGC Match Play. Currently he is tied on 36 with Tiger Woods. Ian Poulter is third on that list with 32.
'Good shot,' remarks Day to Kuchar...
...as he walks onto the tee to play his opening drive. 'Thank you,' replies Kuchar. Day then bombs one down the fairway.
Day and Kuchar halve first hole
Kuchar misses his birdie putt from 13ft and it goes so far beyond the hole that he has to putt again after Day misses a 5-footer for the win.
Scheffler becomes the first to win a hole on day 4
Scheffler holes from 23ft for a birdie on the 1st.
Homa goes 1up on 4
Max knocks in his birdie putt from the back of the green.
Reflection
Rory McIlroy sees a reflection in himself in his opponent today. “I know Lucas through the European Tour and him coming through there. He is a really good player – he has got a ton of length, a ton of speed. He can be quite explosive at times which lends itself to this type of golf course – the par 5s, the drivable par 4s. I feel like he has got a slightly similar game to me and I think course sets up well for that and it should be a good match." This game is next up on the 1st tee.
Herbert has been playing down his chances
Mind games or just a honest assessment?
Greatness exemplified 👏@LHGolf5 is not taking his opponent lightly. pic.twitter.com/rtSOBwtDhtMarch 25, 2023
Poston levels on the 2nd
Scheffler's curling 22ft birdie attempt just shaves the hole. Poston then sinks his birdie putt from 14ft.
McIlroy wins opening hole
Herbert took a 3-wood off the tee, and had an approach from 87 yards, McIlroy took driver and got within 50 yards of the hole. Putts were of similarish length, Rory's nearer. Hughes missed;, Mcilroy didn't.
McIlroy and Herbert trade birdies on the 2nd
Rory putted second. He remains 1up.
How the quarter-final draw is arranged
The winner of the first match out today will play the winner of the second; the winner of the third match plays the victor of the fourth match and so on. All the matches are now out on the course.
Kitayama goes 2up after 2
Two birdies have beaten two pars, so the 19th seed is 2up on the 56th seed. The winner of this match plays the victor from the Horschel-Young clash.
Cantlay birdies par-3 7th after missing green
First blood to Cantlay in his match with Sam Burns after the first six holes were halved. It is also Cantlay's third successive birdie.
How y'all doing?
Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes (2up) after 8
Patrick Cantlay (1up) vs Sam Burns after 7
Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day (2up) after 6
Scottie Scheffler (2up) vs J.T. Poston after 5
Xander Schauffele (1up) vs J.J. Spaun after 4
Rory McIlroy (1up) vs Lucas Herbert after 4
Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama (2up) after 2
Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young (1up) after 2
Kuchar pulls one back at 7th
A par is enough for the oldest man left in the competition. He is now only 1 down to Day.
Which golfer is this?
The first pictures from day four are coming through to Golf Monthly Towers. Can you spot who this is? Answer in next post.
And the pictured golfer was....
....Matt Kuchar. And just in case you didn't recognise where he was, it was taken on the 6th hole.
Horschel in an unfamiliar position
He is trailing in a match for the first time this week. He is 2 down to Cam Young after 4 holes.
Latest standings
Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes (2up) after 9
Patrick Cantlay (1up) vs Sam Burns after 8
Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day (2up) after 8
Scottie Scheffler vs J.T. Poston all square after 7
Xander Schauffele (2up) vs J.J. Spaun after 6
Rory McIlroy (1up) vs Lucas Herbert after 5
Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama (2up) after 4
Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young (2up) square after 4
World Golf Championship?
There are 12 Americans in the last 16; two Australians, a Northern Irishman and a Canadian. Never before has only one European made it through to this stage – not a great stat for Europe in a Ryder Cup year.
Poston goes one up on the world No.1
Scottie Scheffler makes a right horlicks of the 8th hole and that is his third loss in a row: 2up has become 1 down.
Latest standings
Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes (1up) thru 11
Patrick Cantlay vs Sam Burns tied thru 10
Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day (1up) thru 9
Scottie Scheffler vs J.T. Poston tied thru 8
Xander Schauffele (2up) vs J.J. Spaun thru 7
Rory McIlroy (1up) vs Lucas Herbert thru 7
Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama (4up) thru 6
Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young (2up) thru 5
Cantlay finds the water
Patrick Cantlay looks like he's about to lose consecutive holes against Sam Burns after finding the water on the 11th. That's three bogeys in four holes for Cantlay who will shortly go one down.
High quality start
There's some fantastic golf being played in the McIlory vs Herbert match that is currently on the 8th hole. McIlory has birdied four of the seven holes he's played so far today and only finds himself one up. Herbert is matching him shot-for-shot so far
Day follows Kuchar into the water
Clumsy, clumsy golf from this pair on the 11th hole. Kuchar with the honor finds the water, and Jason Day follows him in - terrible match play golf. They'll shoot out from the drop zone now...
J.T Poston leads Scheffler
Do we have a potential surprise on our hands? J.T Poston has just gone 1up against defending champ and tournament favorite Scottie Scheffler. Lots of golf still to play, but it's good to see someone putting up a fight against the world number one.
Halved with bogeys
After finding the water with their respective tee shots, Kuchar and Day both make up-and-down from the drop zone to halve the hole. Day still leads 1up.
Latest standings
Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes (1up) thru 12
Patrick Cantlay vs Sam Burns (1up) thru 12
Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day (1up) thru 11
Scottie Scheffler vs J.T. Poston (1up) thru 10
Xander Schauffele (1up) vs J.J. Spaun thru 9
Rory McIlroy (1up) vs Lucas Herbert thru 8
Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama (3up) thru 7
Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young (3up) thru 7
Close stuff
Six of our eight morning matches are separated by just one hole currently. I think the 17th and 18th holes will be seeing a lot of action later today...
McIlroy hits the turn 2up
A brilliant putt by McIlroy sees him go 2up on Lucas Herbert has they hit the turn. He's five-under-par against the card this morning and is looking in his best form of the week so far. Can the last European left in the draw go deep this weekend?
Scottie Splashes
We've seen a lot of water action so far this morning. Next up is Scottie Scheffler who finds the drink to the left of the 12th green - he's still one down to J.T Poston.
Herbert takes one back
Lucas Herbert is playing some stunning golf to stay in this match against Rory McIlory. He's just nailed a long birdie putt on the 10th that McIlory can't respond to - Rory is now just 1up against the Aussue.
Latest Standings
Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes (2up) thru 14
Patrick Cantlay vs Sam Burns (1up) thru 13
Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day (1up) thru 12
Scottie Scheffler vs J.T. Poston (2up) thru 12
Xander Schauffele (2up) vs J.J. Spaun thru 11
Rory McIlroy (1up) vs Lucas Herbert thru 10
Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama (5up) thru 9
Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young (4up) thru 8
Scheffler falls two down
That mistake on the 12th has cost the world number one another hole. He's now two down against J.T Poston and he's quickly running out of holes.
Kurt's Kruising
Going slightly under the radar this morning is Kurt Kitayama who is currently 5up against Andrew Putnam in what was the penultimate tee time of the morning. Also in complete control is Cam Young who is 4up against Billy Horschel.
Kuch Ties It Up
It's all tied up again between Jason Day and Matt Kuchar as they head to the 14th tee. These two have won this event three times between them, so it's perhaps no surprise to see this one so close.
Burns In a commanding spot
Sam Burns has piled the pressure on Patrick Cantlay - Burns is now 2up with four holes to play. Meanwhile Cam Young has just gone 5up against Billy Horschel in the last group of the morning.
Shock result on the cards
J.T Poston is still 2up on Scottie Scheffler, now with just five holes to play. It was so nearly 3up, but Poston missed his 10ft birdie putt that could've put even more space between him and the world number one. Lots and lots of work to do now for the defending champion.
Latest Standings
Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes (2up) thru 15
Patrick Cantlay vs Sam Burns (2up) thru 14
Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day Tied thru 14
Scottie Scheffler vs J.T. Poston (2up) thru 13
Xander Schauffele (3up) vs J.J. Spaun thru 12
Rory McIlroy (1up) vs Lucas Herbert thru 11
Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama (4up) thru 10
Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young (4up) thru 10
Homa going home?
Max Homa is two down against Mackenzie Hughes with just three holes to play. His drive on the 16th is in trouble and he won't be able to reach the par-5 green in two. Is this another shock result on the cards in Austin?
Xander 3up on Spaun
Quietly going about his business, Xander Schauffele is a comfortable 3up on J.J Spaun. With just six holes to play in that match, expect to see Xander in the quarter finals later this afternoon. He'll play the winner of the McIlroy vs Herbert match.
McIlory moves back to 2up
The first mistake today from Lucas Herbert. Up against the wooden sleepers to the left of the 12th green, Herbert duffed his chip and handed the hole on a plate to Rory McIlory. Herbert is playing good enough golf today to claw back this deficit, but Rory is playing equally well and I don't see him throwing away this two hole lead with six holes to play.
Mackenzie Hughes beats Max Homa 3&2
We have out first quarter finalist and it's a shock result in the opening match of the day. Max Homa, the number five seed, could only make a six on the 16th hole and shakes hands with Mackenzie Hughes to see the Canadian through to his first quarter final appearance at the WGC Matchplay.
Latest Standings
Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes 3&2
Patrick Cantlay vs Sam Burns (2up) thru 15
Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day Tied thru 14
Scottie Scheffler vs J.T. Poston (2up) thru 14
Xander Schauffele (3up) vs J.J. Spaun thru 13
Rory McIlroy (2up) vs Lucas Herbert thru 12
Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama (4up) thru 11
Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young (4up) thru 11
Herbert finds the hospitality
Lucas Herbert's ball has just cannoned into the top deck of the hospitality stands to the right of the 13th hole. It's that bad, he might yet be able to play it off the carpet.
Ice Man get one back
Patty Ice (Patrick Cantlay to you and I) has won a vital hole on the 16th to halve his deficit to Sam Burns. He'll have the honor on the 17th tee now with Sam Burns holding on to slender 1up lead.
Herbert birdies, Rory pars
Despite his adventure into the hospitality stands, Lucas Herbert takes full advantage of his free drop to make a birdie on the 13th. McIlroy, who should've made a similarly crisp up-and-down, misses a 3ft putt to gift the hole to Herbert. Rory's short putt didn't even look at the hole - very out of character and he now sits just 1up.
Scheffler claws one back
Another vital win for a high ranking seed on the 16th hole. After Cantlay did it in the group in front, Scottie Scheffler has just won the 16th hole to go just one down against J.T Poston. They head to the 17th hole with the match hanging in the balance.
Burns beats Cantlay 2&1
Despite his win on the 16th hole, Patrick Cantlay has succumbed to Sam Burns after the latter made a birdie two on the 17th. Another high seed drops out and Burns will face Mackenzie Hughes in the quarter final later today.
Latest Standings
Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes 3&2
Patrick Cantlay vs Sam Burns 2&1
Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day (1up) thru 15
Scottie Scheffler vs J.T. Poston (1up) thru 15
Xander Schauffele (4up) vs J.J. Spaun thru 14
Rory McIlroy (1up) vs Lucas Herbert thru 13
Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama 6&5
Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young (5up) thru 12
Kitayama beats Putnam 6&5
A convincing win for Kurt Kitayama sees him shaking hands with Andrew Putnam as early as the 13th green. He'll likely face Cam Young later today, who is 5up against Billy Horschel.
Day and Kuchar go down the last
Jason Day is 1up as he and Matt Kuchar head to the 18th tee. Remember, there's no halves at this stage of the competition, so if Kuchar can win the 18th they will go back down the first for a sudden death playoff.
Scheffler wins 17, Goes down the last tied
This is why he is world number one. Scheffler birdies the 17th to take his match against J.T Poston down the last all tied up. He was two down on the 13th hole, can he pinch this match on the 18th or will we need extra holes to decide this match?
Jason Day Wins 1up
Kuchar couldn't find the miracle he needed down the last and Jason Day triumphs in a well-fought match. Day will play the winner of the Scheffler vs Poston match with the pair having just teed off on the 18th.
Kuchar will remain tied alongside Tiger Woods for all time wins at the WGC Matchplay with 36 individual matches won. With the tournament not returning next year, it looks like those two could remain tied atop that specific stat
Latest standings and results
Winner are in bold followed the result:
Max Homa vs Mackenzie Hughes 3&2
Patrick Cantlay vs Sam Burns 2&1
Matt Kuchar vs Jason Day 1up
Scottie Scheffler vs J.T. Poston Tied thru 17
Xander Schauffele (3up) vs J.J. Spaun thru 15
Rory McIlroy (1up) vs Lucas Herbert thru 14
Andrew Putnam vs Kurt Kitayama 6&5
Billy Horschel vs Cameron Young 5&4
Xander Schauffele advances
A comfortable 3&2 win against J.J Spaun sees Xander Schauffele through to the quarter finals. That's an impressive win considering the form Spaun has been in this week. Xander will play the winner of the McIlroy vs Herbert match which is half way down the 16th hole.
Scheffler Wins 1Up
From two down to 1up, the world number one gets through a tough match against J.T Poston to advance to the quarter finals. Poston had an 8ft putt to send the match to extra holes, but he pushed it slightly to hand Scheffler the win. Gritty stuff from Scottie, who hasn't had his best stuff this morning. He will play Day in a mouthwatering quarter final tie this afternoon.
One match left in the morning session
Just one more match from the morning session is out on course - Rory McIlroy vs Lucas Herbert. McIlroy is still holding on to his 1up lead and the pair of currently battling it out on the 16th green.
Current quarter final matchups
While McIlroy and Herbert continue, let's take a look at our confirmed quarter finals:
Mackenzie Hughes vs Sam Burns
Jason Day vs Scottie Scheffler
Kurt Kitayama vs Cameron Young
Xander Schauffele will take on the winner of the McIlroy Herbert match with tee times to be released shortly.
McIlroy 1up, Two to play
McIlroy and Herbert halve the 16th and McIlroy takes his slender advantage onto the 17th tee with him. This match is starting to feel very nervy now and it's all still to play for...
Herbert's last throw of the dice
The wonders on matchplay golf. Lucas Herbert holes a monster putt on the 17th to pile the pressure on Rory McIlroy, who stuffed his tee shot to about 10ft. Herbert's putt went in with so much pace, he knew he had to hole that.
McIlory responds with a much more conventional birdie of his own, and walks in the putt for good measure. They go down the last with McIlroy holding on to a 1up lead. Herbert has to win the last to take this match to extra holes.
McIlory Eight Under Par
Rory McIlroy has played his best golf of the week today - he's eight-under par on the card today. The fact he is only 1up is a huge credit to Lucas Herbert who has matched Rory blow-for-blow all morning.
Job done for Rory?
Rory will have a putt from about 5ft to win his match. He'll have two putts from that range if Herbert fails to convert his 30ft putt. Surely Rory will be advancing from here?
Rory McIlroy wins 2up
And it is indeed enough for Rory to win his match as Herbert's putt falls short. He was nine-under par on the day in a match he never got more than 2up in.
Massive credit to Lucas Herbert who hung around all day with Rory in full flow. McIlroy now faces Xander Schauffele in the quarter finals.
Qaurter Final Matches & Tee Times
- 12:35pm/5:35pm Sam Burns (13) vs Mackenzie Hughes (50)
- 12:50pm/5:50pm Scottie Scheffler (1) vs Jason Day (32)
- 1:05pm/6:05pm Rory McIlroy (3) vs Xander Schauffele (6)
- 1:20pm/6:20pm Cameron Young (15) vs Kurt Kitayama (19)
Straight back at it
There's no messing around here in Austin, and the afternoon session is already underway. Sam Burns and Mackenzie Hughes have teed off and we've got four excellent matches to look forward to.
Day and Scheffler tee off
The second match of the afternoon session is now underway. Both Jason Day and Scottie Scheffler's morning matches went down to the final hole and it's been a quick turnaround into this match.
Hughes Two Up Through Two
A dream start for Mackenzie Hughes in his first-ever Matchplay quarter final. A birdie at the first and a birdie at the second courtesy of a chip-in means he's off to the best possible start against Sam Burns.
Pools winners revisited
The draw for the four-man groups were divided into pools, based upon the player’s ranking, 1-16 seeded players in Pool A, 17-32 in B, 33-48 in C, and 49-64 in Pool D. Here’s where the quarter-finalists have come from:
Pool A – 5
Pool B – 2
Pool C – 0
Pool D – 1
Day has a 70% chance of beating Scheffler now
Paul McGinley on comms has just told us that golfers who have won the 1st hole have won 70% of their matches. Jason Day has just curled in birdie putt on the 1st to win the opening hole.
Ryder Cup revisited
The quarter final between Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele is an echo of the last Ryder Cup, as they met in the singles, Rory won that Ryder Cup singles match 3&2.
Hundred percent records
Six of the quarter finalists have these this year; Kurt Kitayama and Mackenzie Hughes both lost a group match.
That Day birdie putt on the 1st hole
One hole, one birdie 🐦 @JDayGolf takes an early 1-up lead against Scottie Scheffler @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/acVeepx44XMarch 25, 2023
Xander Schauffele wins 1st hole
So now he has that 70% chance of winning. Rory McIlroy has the other 30%.
Make birdie, win hole
That is has the first quarter final out has gone so far. Hughes won the first two holes with birdies, and the 4th has just been won by a Burns birdie. Both players made par on 3.
Luck favours Kitayama
His opening drive was miles off target and in the woods. But he had a clear line to the green, He was miles off target with his approach, also; then the ball bounced, turned almost 90 degrees and ended up next to the hole. That's the way to make birdie and win the hole. Gotta feel sorry for Young,
Tiger’s records
If this is the last WGC Match Play ever, time is running out to beat any existing records. Following Matt Kuchar’s 1 down defeat to Jason Day, Tiger and Kuch look destined to remain tied for eternity for the most match wins.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, at stages 2up and 2 down in his match, rallied to win, so he can still match Tiger in being the only WGC Match Play champion successfully to defend his title. Woods did so in 2004.
Tiger is the only man to have won three WGC Match plays. But Scheffler's quarter-final opponent Jason Day, the winner in 2014 and 2016, has a chance to match this.
One record unlikely to be broken is Tiger’s 9&8 win over Steve Ames in the first round in 2006, when all matches wre knockouts. Ames’ defeat is well remembered, less so that the following year in the first round he beat Robert Karlsson 8&7. (He would have replicated the 9&8 score had he won the 10th hole.)
So the story goes, Ames phoned home after the Karlsson match and his wife was surprised as she thought he would still be on the course. When he explained his match had ended early, she asked if he would be able to get a flight home that evening. He had to explain that he had won the match not lost it.
How the matches stand
Mackenzie Hughes vs Sam Burns all square after 5
Jason Day (2up) vs Scottie Scheffler after 5
Xander Schauffele (1up) vs Rory McIlroy after 4
Kurt Kitayama (1up) vs Cameron Young after 2
That bounce for Kitayama on the 1st hole
Tree trouble? Not a problem for Kurt 😲@Kurt_Kitayama shapes it around the trees and gets close @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/k5ec8ee76PMarch 25, 2023
Burns makes a brilliant long birdie putt on 7
Then Hughes misses his short one. Burns goes 1up.
Nationalities of the quarter finalists
There are five Americans in the quarter finals, an Australian, a Northern Irishman and a Canadian. Seven Americans and an Aussie were knocked out in the previous round.
Big-hitting Rory
He has hit 28 of his drives more than 330 yards this week, the most by any player.
McIlroy's approach to 6 goes a wandering
He can only make a par 5 as his recovery shot runs through the green. Xander Schauffele goes 1up again after Rory's birdie on the previous hole had brought the match back to all square.
Jason Day calls for the PGA Tour doctor
Not sure why, but Day has had problems in past with vertigo/labyrinthitis. This is when the labyrinth deep inside the ear becomes inflamed, affecting hearing and balance. Common symptoms include dizziness and vertigo. But do stress I am just speculating as to why Day may have called the doc. Day is playing some superb golf at the moment.
Schauffele goes 2up
He has made four birdies in the opening seven holes.
Rory does interview on course during his match
“I’ve got a ton of confidence with it.”Mic’d up @McIlroyRory talks through his recent equipment change and how the shorter driver shaft has freed up his swing. pic.twitter.com/EgN80kbZZrMarch 25, 2023
How the quarter finals stand
Mackenzie Hughes vs Sam Burns (1up) after 9
Jason Day (2up) vs Scottie Scheffler after 8
Xander Schauffele (2up) vs Rory McIlroy after 7
Kurt Kitayama vs Cameron Young (2up) after 6
Medical update on Jason Day
No problems with labyrinthitis - it's his allergies which are causing him problems. The doc has sorted out some medicine for him which apparently awaits him at the turn.
Day 1up at the turn
And now it is time for him to take his medicine - quite literally. He was 3up two holes ago, but lost 8 to a par and 9 to a birdie.
How Scheffler brought it back to 1 down at the turn
Cutting into the lead @DellMatchPlay 😤Scottie Scheffler is now 1-down to @JDayGolf after 9. pic.twitter.com/k1rB3Si4ZjMarch 25, 2023
Reverse the nines for a round or two?
I know there may be some logistical knock-on effects in doing this, but how about it? If so, today would have been the day. Match Play events often don’t go the full 18 holes so television viewers have been getting a lot of coverage of the front nine, less so of the back nine and precious little of the final few holes. It would vary the scenery a bit.
So far this event has been a tad reminiscent of watching the US Masters in the days when Augusta National only allowed the back nine to be filmed. But all the quarter-final action has now moved to the back nine at Austin Country Club.
Going down the back nine
Mackenzie Hughes vs Sam Burns (1up) after 12
Jason Day (1up) vs Scottie Scheffler after 11
Xander Schauffele vs Rory McIlroy all square after 10
Kurt Kitayama vs Cameron Young (3up) after 9
Schauffele versus McIlroy tied through 11
Speaking after the third round, Rory said: “The ball striking is what has got me to this point. I am lot more confident off the tee than I have been the previous few weeks and I’m following that up with good iron play and good wedges.” But it is his putter that has been keeping him in it today. He is hanging on against Schauffele at the mo.
Hughes misses a highly makeable putt on 13 so stays 1 down
It cannot have been much more than 4ft, if it was even that.
Scheffler fights back morning and afternoon
Scheffler was 2 down with 4 to play in the last round and came through to win 1up. He was 3 down in his quarter final after 7 holes, but now has pulled the match back to all square on the 13th tee. He has just hit a cracker on a drive onto the green, what’s more. Wind in his sails. Day groans after he hits his own shot, unhappy at the result, which is short and right of the green.
Fashion notes
No-one should listen to me on fashion, I know, but Rory McIlroy’s outfit is my favourite of those today. For starters in has a theme and looks co-ordinated, whereas many golfer’s outfit just seem to be a random top and trousers. Also it avoids the oh-so-dull grey; and black trousers always conjure up images of offices to me, not of fairways. Mind you, I suppose fairways are the top professionals’ offices.
But paisley shirts are not to all tastes. At one highly exclusive club, where you have to change in a jacket for lunch, as we were running late, I only changed my top half clothing. This did leave me, as I realised when catching sight of myself in mirror, a rather startling combo of a bright blue corduroy jacket and some bright red tartan golf trews. A chap in paisley shirt called waitress over: “Should you be allowing people in to dining room dressed like that?” She replied: “I am not sure someone who appears to be wearing their pyjamas can comment on others’ clothing choices.”
Rory hits drive out of bounds
Then sticks his provisional into a bunker. He makes 6 on the par-5 12th as a result and loses the hole to his opponent's 4. Schauffele 1up.
Scheffler goes up in his match for the first time
He turns that drive on 13 into a birdie. Jason Day can only make par. Day has not won now for seven holes, having been 3up.
Schauffele drowns tee shot on par-4 13th
It was straight at the flag, just a couple of yards short. McIlroy finds dry land behind the right-hand side of the green.
State of the matches
Mackenzie Hughes vs Sam Burns (2up) after 15
Jason Day vs Scottie Scheffler (1up) after 13
Xander Schauffele vs Rory McIlroy all square after 13
Kurt Kitayama vs Cameron Young (3up) after 11
Can Day respond?
After a pretty dismal run, Day needs to respond at the 15th being two down. He does just that, arrowing his second into around six feet. Scheffler responds to around 15 feet. A classic matchplay situation.
Burns too hot for Hughes
We have our first semi-finalist as Sam Burns completes a 3&2 win over Mackenzie Hughes. He'll play either Scottie Scheffler or Jason Day in the next round, although it's looking like the former, who is two up with three to play after the pair halved 15 in birdie.
Clutch!
McIlroy drove it into the bunker but recovered brilliantly to leave himself around 20 feet for birdie. After a lap of honour, his ball finds the bottom of the cup bu Schauffele responds from half the distance to match the Northern Irishman and head to the 16th all square.
Latest scores
A quick update on the semis...
- Burns (3&2) vs Hughes
- Scheffler (2up) vs Day thru 15
- McIlroy (A/S) vs Schauffele thru 15
- Young (2up) vs Kitayama thru 13
Kurt clawing his way back
Kitayama was three down through 12 and in serious trouble but back-to-back birdies at 13 and 14 have reduced his arrears to one with four holes to play. Game well and truly on against Cam Young.
Master Scheff
Scottie Scheffler is relentless. Day finds the par-5 16th green in two and cosies his eagle putt to withing a few feet to pile the pressure on the World No. 1, but he is equal to the task and almost holes his chip to close out the match.
The half in birdies means he is dormie two ahead.
Scheffler gets it done
An incredible tee shot on 17 earns Scottie Scheffler a hard-fought 2&1 victory over Jason Day. The Aussie was three up through seven but the World No. 1 chipped away at the lead and eventually took control and booked his place in Sunday's semi-finals.
He birdied five of his last six holes and played the 17 holes in eight-under. Seriously impressive stuff.
McIlroy over the green on 17
The Northern Irishman is locked in a titanic tussle with Xander Schauffele. He's up first but can't find the par-3 17th green and gives the advantage to his Californian counterpart.
Scheuffele has 9ft for a birdie two, while McIlroy is more than 30ft away.
That's how you win a match...
Scottie Scheffler going right at it to win the match 👀 pic.twitter.com/rEYQEgfE9nMarch 25, 2023
McIlroy and Schauffele go the distance
Xander Schauffele misses his birdie putt against Rory McIlroy and the pair agree to the good-good and head to the 18th all square.
McIlroy is up first but can't repeat Thursday's heroics and pulls it well left. Schauffele's response is a little better but not by much. It's still all to play for.
Half in birdies
Kitayama and Young both find the par-5 16th in two, albeit the latter is well closer. Kitayama lags his eagle attempt to 4ft and Young can't pounce from 16ft. The pair half in birdies and Young remains one up heading to 17.
Advantage McIlroy
Schauffele is actually a little stymied behind a tree on the left but does very well to nudge his second onto the fringe, pin high left of the green.
No such issues for McIlroy, who pitches his second to around 20ft. The Northern Irishman has the advantage, but not by much.
Roaring Rory
And that's why he is the man. Schauffele can't convert from the fringe and McIlroy makes him pay, sinking the winning putt with his new wand to book a spot in the last four and a match-up against either Cam Young or Kurt Kitayama,
"I feel great," he said. "If someone told me I'd be a combined 16-under for two rounds there's no way I'd have thought I'd play this 18th twice."
Young and Kitayama on 18
There's just one game left on the course at Austin Country Club after a great day of golf. Cam Young is one up against Kurt Kitayama as the pair slug it out for the right to face McIlroy in the semis.
Both find the left rough off the tee - a popular spot - so it remains in the balance.
Advantage Young
Up first, Kitayama fails to apply any pressure, pitching his second to 41ft. Young responds by chipping to 15ft, meaning Kitayama will likely have to hole a monster to have any hope.
Young completes semi-final line-up
Kitayama can't convert and Young eases his birdie effort down to within a few inches, which is enough to advance to the semi-finals. It was one-way traffic for a while but Kitayama did brilliantly to make a match of it and take it the distance.
Here's tomorrow's mouth-watering semi-finals...
- Sam Burns v Scottie Scheffler
- Rory McIlroy v Cameron Young
Goodnight!
Thanks again for following along with what was a superb day of golf as the WGC Match Play entered the knockout phase. We saw upsets and no shortage of world class golf and are left with two cracking semi-finals. It's crazy to think this event might not be on the PGA Tour schedule next year.
Anyway, that's a matter for another day. We'll be back tomorrow to guide you through the final day of action. Until then, goodnight!
MORNING ALL!
Final day of the 2023 WGC Match Play, with the potential for a monumental clash between Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy on the cards. But Sam Burns and Cameron Young are hoping to spoil that party!
SATURDAY MORNING TEE TIMES
- 9.05am/3.05pm Scottie Scheffler vs Sam Burns
- 9.20am/3.20pm Cameron Young vs Rory McIlroy
The tee times are out, for those people watching in the UK the clocks went forward this morning, so it means they start a little bit later than the first few days.
WEATHER LOOKS PERFECT
Very chance of rain, little wind - conditions are perfect for scoring.
WHO WILL WIN?
No shocks that the bookmakers have Scheffler and McIlroy as the favourites.
Let's look at the remaining players
WHO IS SAM BURNS
- Samuel Holland Burns was born on the 23rd July 1996 in Shreveport, Louisiana
- Burns was a three-time individual state champion and was named AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year in 2014.
- In 2018, playing the Honda Classic on a sponsor's exemption, Burns was paired with Tiger Woods(opens in new tab) in the final round. He actually beat Woods on the day by two-shots.
- His best calendar year on Tour so far was 2021, in which he won twice, at the Valspar Championship and Sanderson Farms Championship
To find out more go to our Things You Don't Know About Sam Burns post
WHO IS RORY MCILROY?
- McIlroy is from Holywood, Northern Ireland, near Belfast.
- He named his first dog after Ernie Els, calling it Theo (Els' first name).
- Reportedly McIlroy made his first hole-in-one at the age of 10.
- He is one of three men (along with Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus) to have won four Majors by the age of 25.
- He won the WGC Match Play in 2015.
For more info check out our Things You Don't Know About Rory McIlroy post
WHO IS CAMERON YOUNG?
- Young was born in Scarborough, New York on May 07, 1997.
- His father David Young was and still is the head professional at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Westchester County, New York.
- Young was a member of both the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup team and Junior World Cup team.
- He has never won on the PGA Tour, but has had multiple 2nd-place finishes, including at The Open 2022.
To find out more info check out our Things You Don't About Cameron Young post.
WHO IS SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER?
- Scottie's hometown is Dallas, Texas, but he was born in New Jersey.
- He is very afraid of heights.
- He started 2022 with zero PGA Tour wins and at 13th in the world, but by April he had won four PGA Tour titles, including The Masters, and was World No.1.
- He is the defending WGC Match Play Champion.
For more info check out our Things You Don't Know About Scottie Scheffler post
LIV GOLFERS LEFT OFF WGC MATCH PLAY PAST CHAMPIONS
Strange story that happened yesterday, when all the LIV golfers who have previously won the WGC Match Play were omitted from a list of former champions. Social Media went bananas over it.
Read the full story Social Media Reacts After WGC Graphic Leaves Out LIV Past Champions
MCILROY AND SCHAUFFELE SHOOT 59
Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele has an instant classic on Saturday evening. In a better ball format, the two golfing titans shot an impressive 12-under-par round of 59. Rory was only leading in the match when he holed his birdie putt on 18.
Read the full story at Rory McIlroy And Xander Schauffele Shoot 59 At WGC Match Play
MATCH ODDS
The bookies clearly have very short-priced favourites for the semi-finals - with both McIlroy and Scheffler odds on to win. Whether it will be that clear cut, we will have to wait and see.
HOW CAN YOU PLAY AUSTIN COUNTRY CLUB?
This will be the final WGC Match Play at Austin Country Club (for the moment) - with the event not currently on the 2023/24 season calendar. It does look like great fun to play. Founded in 1899, Austin Country Club is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in Texas. Not surprisingly, then, securing a round there isn’t easy.
We give details in How Can I Play Austin Country Club?
GOOD MORNING ALL!
Good morning everyone!
Eddie Carruthers here to take you through to tee off times!
We're building up for a massive day of action in the final day of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play so stay here for all the latest updates, reaction and analysis from the tournament.
Both Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy have made their way through to the semi-finals today and they'll take on Sam Burns and Cameron Young, respectively, as they look to book their place in the final which will take place later this afternoon.
TODAY's TEE TIMES
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler will kick things off later today against No 15 ranked Sam Burns.
Cameron Young and Rory McIlroy are set to follow them 15 minutes later.
The weather is looking perfect in Austin too! Light breezes and 15º heat is expected this morning, while things are set to heat up later on in the day.
Tee times below...
- 9.05am (US)/3.05pm (UK) Scottie Scheffler vs Sam Burns
- 9.20am (US) /3.20pm (UK) Cameron Young vs Rory McIlroy
CLASH OF THE TITANS
We've been treated to a mouthwatering exhibition of match play golf over the last few days, with plenty of thrills, spills and upsets to recap on.
But the big story from the week is that Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, two of the top ranked golfers in the world, remain on track for a BIG collision in the final later today.
That is only if they can defeat Sam Burns and Cameron Young in this morning's semi-finals, which will not be an easy task.
Yesterday was an enthralling day of golf for Scheffler and McIlroy who both showed their tenacity to come back late on in the day to secure their spot in the final day.
They will need to be on top form from the off today if they are to make it to the final with Burns and Young no doubt very consistent players who, as they proved yesterday can fend off the advances of some tough opponents.
Let's recap on some of the biggest stories from yesterday's quarter-finals!
SCHEFFLER COMES BACK TO BEAT DAY
Scottie Scheffler and @JDayGolf going at it 🎯 pic.twitter.com/TAKFFopuvQMarch 25, 2023
The best golfer's in the world never say die, and that was certainly the case yesterday with Scottie Scheffler's late comeback against Jason Day.
It was an up and down day for the American, who had also come back to defeat J.T. Poston in Saturday morning's round of 16 matches, going down by two holes with four to play. But in incredible fashion, he bounced back to make three consecutive birdies to book his place in the quarter-finals, winning the match by a hole.
He then started poorly against the Australian, who was searching for his first win on the PGA Tour since 2018. Day, who has previously won a match play tournament back in 2014, took an early lead with a birdie on the first, before Scheffler brought the scores back to level. He then pushed again taking a three hole lead heading into the 6th hole but couldn't hold onto his lead.
A slip up at the 8th proved costly for Day and gave the American the opening he needed to, for the second time in the day, rally a late charge. Scheffler would go on to birdie the 9th to cut his deficit to one hole, before mounting a late charge, making birdies on five of the last six holes, with the Australian keeping the pressure on Scheffler, also making birdies on the final three holes.
Yet, it was Scheffler who would be victorious, winning the match 2&1 and booking his place in the quarter-finals.
WHAT DRIVER DOES SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER USE?
Scottie Scheffler is one of several golfers running the brand new TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus drivers. He is one of the most consistent ball strikers on the tour at the moment and currently leads the PGA Tour for shots gained from the tee. And there's no doubt that his new driver has had a say in his performances this season. An upgrade on last year's Stealth driver, we've had the pleasure of taking the new Stealth 2 Plus out for a few testing sessions out on the course, and we've loved the feedback this driver has given us. Check out our review below - but here's a brief snippet of what we've found...
We see a fair few changes in the Stealth 2 this year, with a 2-gram lighter carbon face being introduced, as well as an advanced ‘Inverted Cone Technology’ that the brand says, has helped designers improve the forgiveness on offer. Like the standard Stealth 2, you get the refined, more confidence-inspiring looks, as well as slightly more head and ball speed than its predecessor. Notably though, the focus has been on forgiveness, and with the carbon composite ring at the back of the head, it has allowed weight to be saved and used to aid performance.
One notable difference is the pitch of the driver which, for this year, has been ever so slightly muted. You still get that powerful feel through impact but, if you prefer a higher-pitched contact sound, you might find this isn’t lively enough for you.
- Read our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Driver Review
MATCH OF THE DAY: MCILROY BEATS SCHAUFFELE IN A CLASSIC
Perhaps one of the matches of the tournament thus far, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele put on a mouth-watering exhibition of why match play golf needs to remain on the PGA Tour for the seasons to come.
The American booked his place in the quarter-finals on Saturday morning defeating fellow San Diego State alum J.J. Spaun with a 3-and-2 win, with a dominant showing that saw the Olympic champion hold the lead throughout pretty much all of the match. McIlroy, meanwhile, clocked up a whopping NINE birdies to defeat Australian Lucas Herbert in a driving masterclass to book his place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2016.
"Rory! Rory! Rory!" McIlroy reaches the semi-finals for the first time since 2016. #DellMatchPlay pic.twitter.com/pXU7EKaw3VMarch 25, 2023
The pair came together in the afternoon, with the American coming out of the blocks early to put the World No 3 on the back foot with a birdie on the first. It was neck and neck through the next three holes, with McIlroy claiming a hole back at the fourth.
The tension was palpable as the pair traded blows, with Schauffele again taking the lead to go 2up through seven, but the Northern Irishman would rally to bring the scores back to level heading into the 18th hole. In front of the grand stand of patrons, the four-time major winner would hold his nerve with the pressure mounting, to nail a 12-foot birdie putt to win the match by a hole.
Prior to the final hole, the former World No 1 had amazingly not led at any stage in the match.
He showed his class afterwards shaking hands with Schauffele after what was a rollercoaster of a match.
RORY 🙌McIlroy progresses to the semi-finals after a 1UP victory vs Schauffele. #DellMatchPlay pic.twitter.com/KNsrE8RH8cMarch 25, 2023
McilRoy: "Winning the Match Play is always a massive accomplishment"
After defeating Xander Schauffele in an epic clash, Rory McIlroy will advance to the semi-finals of the WGC Match Play and has revealed how much of a big deal winning this competition really is.
The Northern Irishman won the tournament back in 2015, dispatching all of Hideki Matsuyama, Paul Casey, Jim Furyk and Gary Woodland on his way to victory.
But the four-time major winner, who has 23 PGA Tour victories to his name said he would relish another win at the tournament this week, emphasising how great the satisfaction of winning at the tournament is after playing seven rounds of intense golf.
"I think winning the Match Play is always a massive accomplishment because of what you have to go through," said McIlroy, who has won already on Tour this season at the CJ Cup.
"It's seven rounds and, especially this week, I feel like a lot of my matches have been really, really close, so to be able to pull them out when I've needed to has been very gratifying.
"Maybe there's a higher sense of satisfaction when you get through on Sunday night and you're able to win. I feel like it's maybe just more of an achievement mentally to do it rather than just winning a four-round stroke-play event."
MCILROY'S NEW PUTTER LOOKS THE BUSINESS
It seems Rory McIlroy's equipment changes are starting to pay off after he sunk a clutch 12-foot putt on the 18th hole yesterday to claim an epic victory against Xander Schauffele.
The four-time major winner had previously changed his putter set up around right before the event to a Scotty Cameron blade, and it seems to be paying off!
Read the full story on his new putter: Rory McIlroy Testing Scotty Cameron Putter Ahead Of WGC-Match Play
And if you want to play like Rory, why not check out our guide to the best Scotty Cameron Putters!
Rory McIlroy with @damonhackGC after defeating Xander Schauffele 1 up in the @DellMatchPlay quarterfinals. 🔊 pic.twitter.com/ZzktoECoBcMarch 25, 2023
BURNS BATTLES THROUGH
Sam Burns also had a big day on the course, toppling World No 4 and former FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay, coming from behind to shoot four birdies in the last five holes of the match to win 2&1.
The American would advance to the quarters on Saturday where he bested Mackenzie Hughes with a dominant display of golf, despite having to again rally after losing the opening two holes.
It was a fantastic day on the course for 26-year-old, who took the lead against burns with an INCREDIBLE 51-foot birdie putt on the seventh hole to swing the match.
🚨 Sam Burns has gone ☢️ Follow @TrackingBurns for full tracking pic.twitter.com/lzkK0qsvjwMarch 25, 2023
Burns, who has four wins on the PGA Tour for his career, shot four birdies during the match to win 3&2.
Speaking after the round, Burns who sits 15th in the Official World Golf Rankings spoke of his reslience to keep pushing at Hughes to get the win.
“That’s kind of the nature of match play,” he said, after the round.
“You just kind of have to weather the storm sometimes, and he got off to a fantastic start there birdieing the first two holes, and we just kind of kept scratching and clawing and got ourselves back in it.
"I hit a lot of really good shots today and was able to come out on the good side.”
BURNS VS SCHEFFLER: FROM PICKLEBALL TO THE GOLF COURSE
Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns are set to go head-to-head in the WGC Match Play later today, but did you know the pair are good friends?
In fact, the pair and their partners reportedly spend a lot of time together, with Burns taking Scheffler to play pickleball recently!
Today they'll swap their rackets for their golf clubs with the two friends set to tee off at 9.05am (US) /3.05pm (UK), and while the world No 15 claimed he beats Scheffler at pickleball, he admitted today's match will be a lot tougher.
“He is pretty competitive,” Scheffler said of Burns. “I’ve been taking him on my team in pickleball recently.
"Usually, when he gets on the other team I’ll beat him pretty handily in that one, so pickleball for me is not much of a challenge. The match tomorrow is going to be a lot harder than me beating him in pickleball.
“He’s a fantastic person and he’s a great golfer, and I like him because he’s a person, great guy. We have a lot of fun together.”
CAMERON YOUNG SHOWS HIS DOMINANCE
Cameron Young is going to be a very tough opponent for Rory McIlroy later today considering how he's played throughout the week. Breaking onto the PGA Tour last season, Young's excellent performances have seen him rise to 17th in the OWGR rankings and this week he's proved he is definitely not far off claiming his first PGA Tour win.
Undefeated in the group stages, Young bested Billy Horschel in a dominant display on Saturday morning. Horschel had staged one of the upsets of the tournament, knocking World No 2 Jon Rahm out of the tournament at the group stages, but failed to replicate his impressive performance against Young, who stole the show on Saturday morning. Young posted six birdies to defeat Horschel by a whopping five holes, and didn't once drop the lead during the round.
No harm in trying for the good-good @Kurt_Kitayama 😂 pic.twitter.com/NEMw2URAMcMarch 26, 2023
He advanced to play against Kurt Kitayama, who recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and advanced to the round of 16 on Friday night beating Tony Finau and Adrian Meronk in a three-way playoff. Kitayama took the lead in the quarter-final tie against Young, with a birdie on the first.
It was an exhibition of pure golfing prowess with Young nearly holing out on the 11th from his tee shot, while Kitayama showed some amazing control of the golf ball during the day to bend shots round the trees on the course.
Young would turn on the gas at the fourth to overturn his deficit and take the lead, and would clock up six birdies to hold out against Kitayama, who continued to press late on in the match, taking the game right up to the 18th hole. Young would ultimately be victorious and book his place in the final four.
Tree trouble? Not a problem for Kurt 😲@Kurt_Kitayama shapes it around the trees and gets close @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/k5ec8ee76PMarch 25, 2023
T-MINUS 1 HOUR TILL TEE OFF
So we're an hour away until the first tee off time!
Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns will get us underway at 9:05am (US) / 3:05pm (UK).
Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young will follow after.
Paradise found. pic.twitter.com/M802XEsdXJMarch 26, 2023
SCHEFFLER VS BURNS: CAN BURNS GO TWO FOR TWO AGAINST HIS FRIEND?
Scottie Scheffler comes into this match with the hope that he can go back-to-back with wins at this event. The World No 1 is the man to beat on the PGA Tour this season and has continued his dominant form from last year where he claimed his first Masters title, before bounding into this season winning his second consecutive WM Phoenix Open title, before the Players Championships last week.
Everything he touches at the moment turns to gold, yet it's been an up and down tournament so far for the 26-year-old, who has had to battle back twice to advance to the final day of the tournament. The problem Sam Burns today will be Scheffler's consistency and his tenacity to get results. Scheffler currently ranks highest on the PGA Tour with the most shots gained from tee-to-green and the best GIR percentage. That means, in approach Scottie is unmatched, and he'll be looking to hone in on his precision accuracy again today, in his home state of Texas.
Burns meanwhile has been in brilliant form this week. Over his last two rounds, he's clocked up 11 birdies, notably dispatching former FedEx Cup Patrick Cantlay yesterday morning. He can be dominant when he builds up a head of steam and seems to be a hard man to topple when he's in the lead. His strength is his putting, so if he can get his flat stick in the groove today, expect him to put some pressure on his playing partner.
Burns is no stranger to winning on Tour either, having triumphed at three events last season including where he beat his friend, Scheffler, in a playoff at the Charles Schwab challenge last year. He'll be looking to go two-for-two against his good friend Scheffler later today.
YOUNG VS MCILROY: BATTLE OF THE BIG HITTERS
We've seen some amazing shots being played this week already at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, but we could be in for a driving masterclass here on the final day as two of the PGA Tours biggest hitters go at it as they look to book their place in the final round. While this match will not wholly be won by their driving, as we've already seen both utilise their putters to great effect this week, expect some jaw-dropping big hits in this match that could tee us up for a very exciting finish.
Cameron Young currently ranks second on the PGA Tour for driving distance (all drives) and is 12th on tour for strokes gained off the tee. He nearly came close to shooting an ace yesterday with a tee shot on the 11th that took a lucky kick off coming within a couple of feet of the hole.
Overall, his performances this week have been very impressive. He outclassed Billy Horschel taking a whopping 5&4 win yesterday, clocking up six birdies, before showing his cool to hold out against an advancing Kurt Kitayama yesterday. He will be the underdog today against the Northern Irishman, but will be a big threat to McIlroy, who missed the cut last week at the Players Championship two weeks ago.
The four-time major winner doesn't need an introduction on the power and brilliance he possess off the tee. Just look at this shot he hit earlier in the week...
"That is absolutely incredible!" 😲Has Rory McIlroy hit the shot of the year? 👀pic.twitter.com/t4lqNU4iEJMarch 24, 2023
Maybe the shot of the week so far? It's certainly up there and it's clear the Northern Irishman, despite some skepticism around his equipment changes earlier in the week, is starting to bound his way into a very promising patch of form.
He showed his dominance against Lucas Herbert yesterday morning, hitting a whopping NINE birdies to progress to the quarter-finals, where he showed his resilience to keep fighting against Xander Schauffele to win with a monster putt on the last hole. McIlroy really has showed us all parts of his game this week, delivering with the driver and flat stick this week. He currently stands in good favour against Young, having experience of winning this event before in 2015. But the pressure will be on the World No 3 to defeat Young, who is out to claim his first win on the PGA Tour.
TOP SHOTS FROM THE SEMI-FINALISTS
Take a look at some of the top shots from our four semi-finalists this week...
Top shots from the semifinalists @DellMatchPlay 🏌️♂️(Presented by @Rolex) pic.twitter.com/BMaTDngzJbMarch 26, 2023
THE STATS DON'T LIE
Here are some key figures to keep in mind during today's matches.
Match Win Percentage Through 9 Holes
5 MINUTES TO GO!
Stay up-to-date with all the latest updates here and on our Twitter channel @GolfMonthly as the players gear up to take the course!
And then there were four.Championship Sunday @DellMatchPlay 💪 pic.twitter.com/dieuMmKZrPMarch 26, 2023
Semi-finals are underway
Scheffler and Burns have both found the fairway. Scheffler has made four pars and a birdie so far on this hole. Burns has made a birdie, three pars and a bogey.
Something’s gotta give
All the semi-finalists won all their group games, so all of them have one hundred percent records so far in this year's Match Play.
Burns wins first hole
Burns plays a gorgeous chip right by the pin and putt is conceded. Scheffler's chip was a bit scruffy and low and just made it to the dance floor. Scheffler misses his putt.
Second semi final about to begin
Rory McIlroy has made two birdies and three pars on the 1st hole so far. Sam Young made birdies here in his three group matches, but pars in the knockouts.
Last look
Has to be said, the view from behind the 1st tee has not been attractive when they have been playing from the backmost tees. It’s the combination of the hospitality area jutting out in front of the tee on the left and the netting down the right side that jars. But they are playing slightly forward of this today and so we were treated to a more scenic view.
If it had happened as planned...
If the Match Play had panned out according to the seeds, Rory McIlroy would have been playing Jon Rahm. But instead of Rahm progressing from Group 2 it was Bill Horschel, who was then defeated by Cameron Young. Scottie Scheffler’s opponent would have been number four seed Patrick Cantlay. But Cantlay was beaten by Burns in the Last 16 round.
Burns goes 2up on 2nd
Scottie Scheffler has come back from behind well in the knockouts, and he'll need to do so again if the World No. 1 is to make the final. Incidentally, Burns has done well coming from behind, too, as he has been behind in four of his five matches and won them all.
McIlroy and Young tie 1st hole
Birdies apiece. Both set up by deft chips which made the putts litle more than fomalities. Young's chip looked like it might roll in at one stage, but it trundled past.
Scheffler goes 3 down for third consecutive match
Burns holes a long putt for birdie on 3. Scheffler misses his putt from roughly half the length of Burns' one.
McIlroy and Young both par 2nd hole
McIlroy's birdie putt misses - line was right, but pace a little too aggressive. Young also misses from similiar range. Two gimmies follow.
Scheff & Burns halve 4th
Both make par, Scheffler had by far the longer birdie putt. Burns is playing the better golf here for sure. But Scottie has taken his time to warm up this week.
All from Pool A
With 1st seed Scottie Scheffler playing 13th seed Sam Burns, and 3rd seed Rory McIlroy taking on 15th seed Cam Young, this is the first time since the group stage was introduced that the semi-finalists were all players who had been seeded top of their group. If you add up the seed numbers, it totals 36, the lowest such total since 2000. That year the semi finalists had been the top three seeds and Darren Clarke (20). Clarke beat Tiger Woods 4&3 in a 36-hole final.
First blood in McIlroy-Young
The 3rd hole goes Young's way.
Scheffler pulls one back
Burns had to take a drop when this wayward drive on 5 nestled up against a fallen tree in the undergrowth. His approach made the green. Scheffler putted first and missed. Then Burns missed. So Scottie wins with a par.
Second semi final: a half on first par 3 on course
Looks like it could have been a Rory win when his 8-iron went to 7ft leaving him with a putt to seal it.
Harvey Penick’s Big Bronze Statue
Famed golf instructor and author of Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, Harvey Penick was born in Austin. He started caddying at Austin Country Club aged 8. He became the club’s assistant professional and then, in 1923, its head professional, a position he held until 1971. His pupils included Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls and Kathy Whitworth. There is a statue at the club of Kite, an Austin Country Club member, driving with Penick watching.
Rory-Cam all square
Young loses the 5th hole. He has a chip from beyond the ropes up a steep bank. His chip does not make the green so he is left having to chip in to tie McIlroy, whose birdie putt had been conceded.
Scheffler with back-to-back hole wins
He is now only 1 down.
Rory being creative
Creativity and imagination. @McIlroyRory played this beautifully @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/BvTMwgkdfXMarch 26, 2023
Rory goes 1up
A feature of Young's week has been his fast starts, but this morning is not following that pattern.
They have stats for everything these days
Up has popped on the telly screen the approximate miles walked by the players so far in the tournament, Rory heads this with 19.2 miles. Mind you, he has also played the most holes, with 87. In second is Sam Burns at 18.9 miles. Young has played the least and walked the least - 81 holes and 17.9 miles.
On the subject of useless bits of information...
As a collector of useless information, I was delighted to learn from this blog and Ed that Rory McIlroy named his dog after Ernie Els. What would you name a dog if its after someone called Ernie and Els? Theo. After Mr Theodore Ernest Els. With regard to golfers and dogs, Tiger Woods cured his childhood stammer by talking to his dog. This is the answer, by the way, to one of the questions in our Tiger Woods quiz.
Scheffler birdie brings it back to all square
This match has gone, hole-by-hole, with Burns 1up; 2up; 3up; 3up; 2up, 1up; 1up; tied.
Scheffler ahead at the turn
Scheffler from 107 yards out plonks his second shot next to the 9th flag. Burns, after bunker trouble, then played his fourth shot from 97 yards out. So far this week, those 1up at the turn, as Scottie now is, have won 58.5% of the time, and lost 22.6%, with the rest being tied group matches.
The Pennybacker Bridge
This has loomed large throughout the television coverage this week. The official name of the bridge is the Percy V. Pennybacker Jr Bridge, named in honour of a Texan civil engineer who was born in 1895 and who had worked for the Texas Highway Department. He had pioneered the use of welded construction as an alternative to rivets in heavy stress bridge design. The bridge is also known as the 360 Bridge as it connects the northern and southern sections of the Loop 360 highway.
It is made from steel from Japan, and the sections were made in Korea. The bridge's total length is 350m and its arch span is 183m. The bridge opened in December 1982 and in 1984 it won first place in won the Federal Highway Administration Excellence In Highway Design Competition.
Scheffler 2up after 10
Sam Burns, who was 3up after three holes, is now playing some ragged golf. Scottie Scheffler on the other hand is now playing some fine golf and has made four birdies in the last five holes. This match looks to be going only one way. Burns has not made a birdie since the 3rd hole. They have now teed off on the par-3 11th and Scheffler's ball is well inside Burn's one, both on the green.
McIlroy 2up at turn
The stats this week say that those 2up after 9 holes have won 78% of these games, and lost 14.3% of the time.
Scheffler has been playing darts
Scottie Scheffler is on fire 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KjKJ4QZXWZMarch 26, 2023
MacIlroy ties 11th hole
The Northern Irishman holes a decent-lsized putt when it looked to be advantage Young on this hole. Young then knocks his putt in from under 8ft.
Dye Cast
Pete Dye designed the course at Austin Country Club. Dye, often in conjunction with his wife, Alice, designed several of the courses the top tournaments play at. Sam Tremlett has profiled some of Pete Dye’s most famous designs for us..
Young pulls one back
McIlroy finds water with his second shot on the par-5 12th, then hits his 4th over the green.
Young is now only 1 down. Five times a runner-up, he has yet to win on the PGA Tour. The last American to get his debut PGA Tour victory at the WGC Match Play was Kevin Sutherland, in 2002. The last time it happened was in 2010, when Ian Poulter beat Paul Casey 4&2. But Poulter already had eight wins on the European Tour.
Want to become a member of Austin Country Club? Here's what you'll need
Plenty of patience and deep pockets. It is rumoured to take 17 years to get to the top of the waiting list and the joining fee is $100,000.
Both semi finals stand at 1up to the favourites
The matches are now on the 14th and 13th holes. Burns has just won the 13th hole with an overdue birdie, his first for eight holes.
BURNS MISSES OPPORTUNITY TO TIE MATCH
Good morning/afternoon everyone!
Eddie C here again to take you through the end of the semi-finals today!
Big shout out to Roderick who's coverage has been fantastic so far this afternoon!
Things are heating up in Austin with temperatures hitting 22º, but things are also heating up on the course, particularly with the putter.
Sam Burns has just missed an opportunity to level on the 13th as him and Scottie Scheffler have just tee'd off on the 14th.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy is in control of his game against Cameron Young, sitting 2 up with through 13.
Cameron Young put some serious spin on this one 👀 pic.twitter.com/KZXDpM3LbTMarch 26, 2023
BURNS GOES WITHIN TWO FEET
Sam Burns puts the pressure on Scheffler with a stunning approach shot to within three feet at the 14th as he looks to claw one back.
Scottie's up...
...AND HE FAILS TO KEEP IT ON THE DANCEFLOOR
Scottie Scheffler succumbs to the pressure and can't keep the ball on the green, flying it far too long onto the first cut.
It is surprising considering Scheffler's stats ranking first on the PGA Tour for GIR percentage and first for strokes gained tee-to-green.
Advantage Burns, can he putt out to level the match?
SCHEFFLER NEARLY CHIPS IN!
But Scheffler hits back after his poor shot on fourteenth with a bit of wizardry with his wedge, bumping the ball onto the green with some superb accuracy before his shot lips out of the hole.
Burns holes out for a Birdie to level the hole.
BURNS TAKES THE REINS
Two of the last three holes have gone to Sam Burns, and this match is definitely set to go to 17.
MCILROY STAYS 2 UP
Cameron Young putts out for par, putting the pressure back on the four-time major winner at 14, but Rory McIlroy replies strongly, putting out for a par to stay 2 UP.
ELEVEN DAYS UNTIL THE MASTERS AND THERE'S FOUR SPOTS UP FOR GRABS FOR THE TOP 50
Jason Day, Min Woo Lee, Keith Mitchell and Harris English have punched their tickets to The Mastershttps://t.co/z8EUTtlDgoMarch 26, 2023
The Masters is fast approaching and it seems there's still some places up for grabs at arguably the most prestigious major on the calendar.
With eleven days to go, we're getting a better idea of who might be in the running to claim the final four spots up for grabs.
The top 50 golfers inside the Official World Golf Rankings will qualify, with Jason Day's performances this week projecting him inside that bracket of players which which could give him a berth at the tournament on April 6.
According to projections made by the Official World Golf Ranking after the Quarter Finals at Austin Country Club, Harris English is projected to be No 44, Keith Mitchell No 46 and Min Woo Lee No 47, with Jason Day also qualifying after a strong showing on Saturday.
The final spot for the Masters will go to the winner of the Valero Texas Open next week.
YOUNG FOLLOWS SCHEFFLER AND GOES TOO LONG
Cameron Young has followed suit of Scottie Scheffler going too long with his approach on the 15th, going off the back of the green and down the ditch.
He'll have a tough chip on to follow, but as the World No 1 has just shown us, he's still in with a shout of chipping in.
McIlroy leaves his approach just short of the green but is on the dancefloor.
SCOTTIE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!
Scottie couldn't believe this didn't drop 😲 pic.twitter.com/CqJPQGVWgiMarch 26, 2023
... and Scheffler couldn't believe his chip didn't go in on 15th!
Fine margins.
His chipping has been on fire today and has just put another bump and run on 16 very close to the hole.
YOUNG TIES THE HOLE AS MCILROY FAILS TO GO 3 UP
Rory McIlroy can't quite increase his lead, just failing to drain a long birdie putt.
Cameron Young keeps the pressure on though, making a par to halve the hole.
The Northern Irishman holds a two hole lead with three to play.
WHAT DRIVER IS MCILROY USING?
Rory McIlroy has just found the sand on the 16th with a monster 300-yard drive.
But what driver does he use?
We see a fair few changes in the Stealth 2 this year, with a 2-gram lighter carbon face being introduced, as well as an advanced ‘Inverted Cone Technology’ that the brand says, has helped designers improve the forgiveness on offer.
Like the standard Stealth 2, you get the refined, more confidence-inspiring looks, as well as slightly more head and ball speed than its predecessor. Notably though, the focus has been on forgiveness, and with the carbon composite ring at the back of the head, it has allowed weight to be saved and used to aid performance.
One notable difference is the pitch of the driver which, for this year, has been ever so slightly muted. You still get that powerful feel through impact but, if you prefer a higher-pitched contact sound, you might find this isn’t lively enough for you.
- Read our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Driver Review
BURNS GOES WITHIN 3 FEET!!
Sam Burns puts the pressure back on Scottie Scheffler just when he needed to, teeing off on the 17th to put the ball within three feet of the hole. He'll surely putt this one out for birdie to go one up heading into 18.
Scheffler can still halve the hole after he found the green too, but he'll be putting from over 11 yards out.
Can he clinch a clutch birdie to take things to the 18th?
SCHEFFLER GOES WITHIN INCHES WITH HIS PUTT
Scottie Scheffler rolls his putt within inches of the hole, but can't make birdie, conceding the 17th to give Sam Burns a one-hole lead heading to 18.
Can Scottie take this to a playoff?
BURNS BIRDIES AGAIN
What a shot from @SamBurns66 🔥 He’s now 1-up with one to play @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/WJ1rvHpQOQMarch 26, 2023
What a sensational shot that was from Burns on the par 3 17th though, pinpoint accuracy.
His late charge sees him take a one-hole lead heading into the 18th hole, and has just striped his drive 329 yards down the middle of the fairway on 18.
Scheffler's up now and he puts everything behind this drive, but has landed just short of Burn's driver.
It's nail-biting stuff this!
BURNS LATE CHARGE
Sam Burns has played some stunning golf in this back nine. He's birdied four of the last five holes to mount a last-gasp challenge on the World No 1, who had a two-hole lead at the 12th.
MCILROY DROPS A HOLE
Young is still very much in this match. With two left to play he puts the pressure back on McIlroy who can't find a par on the 16th after a poor approach to the back of the green.
The Northern Irishman now holds only a one-hole lead.
BURNS NEARLY HOLES OUT!
Sam Burns has just come within millimetres of winning this match with the most amazing chip onto the green, but the ball doesn't quite grab in time and rolls on past Scheffler's ball on the green.
PLAYOFF: SCOTTIE COMES BACK TO TIE THE MATCH! WE'RE HEADING TO A PLAYOFF
We're heading to a playoff! Sam Burns can't nail his putt, and taps in with two strokes giving Scheffler the advantage.
The Masters champion takes his time over the ball considering what's on the line and as expected, drains his putt from four feet to birdie the last.
We'll go to a playoff!
MCILROY GETS A REPRIEVE
Young can't birdie the 17th and McIlroy gets a reprieve after a poor tee-shot that found the first cut at the back of the green. He's one up with one to play.
BURNS FINDS A GRATE ON THE FIRST PLAYOFF
What a game of golf this has been. Scheffler and Burns have both tee'd off on the Par 5 12th to start the playoff.
Scheffler pumps his drive 329 yards down the middle while Burns has found a man hole cover on the fairway! He'll likely get a drop from there.
SCOTTIE'S CLUTCH PUTT
Here's Scheffler's clutch putt on the last that took the game to a playoff decider!
18 holes wasn’t enough.Scottie Scheffler and @SamBurns66 will head to a playoff to determine who moves on @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/uLSTgrkb81March 26, 2023
PAR 5 12TH: THE STATS
So far this week there have been 10 eagles and a whopping 107 birdies on the Par 5 12th this week.
Just one mistake here and either player will take advantage on this hole.
Burns is up first after fishing his ball out of the grill, and he has around 198yards to the hole, but he comfortably finds the green.
YOUNG HAS A CHANCE
A fantastic approach shot from Cameron Young leaves him within a decent chance of getting down for a birdie at 18. He needs to win this hole to take his match to a playoff!
MCILROY MAKES THE GREEN FROM AN AWKWARD ANGLE
After his tee shot finds the top rim of the bunker, McIlroy manages to rescue the ball from a very difficult lie, but his tee shot is still further away from the green than Young's.
PLAYOFF! YOUNG TIES THE MATCH!
Young wins the final hole on 18th after a late surge. We're going to another playoff! McIlroy's poor chip from the bunker left him too much to do at the last and he fails to close out the tie!
CAGEY FIRST PLAYOFF HOLE
There's very little between Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns here with both hitting pars on the first playoff hole.
It's neck-and-neck!
SCHEFFLER GOES WITHIN THREE FEET
Scottie Scheffler's distance control with his wedges is phenomenal and he goes within three feet on the second playoff hole.
Sam Burns is up next from pretty much the same position and pushes his shot out left.
Advantage Scheffler...
YOUNG RESCUES FROM A BRUTAL LIE
Cameron Young found the sand off the tee, with his ball sitting up next to the lip of the bunker. He chips out as best as he can onto the fairway.
Rory McIlroy looked as though he had found the bunker with his drive too, but he's got lucky with his ball sitting up on the grass right next to the hazard. Pressure's on as he can capitalise here with a good shot.
... and he hits a clever strike to the right of the green away from the water on the left.
CHANCE FOR SCHEFFLER: BURNS GOES TOO SHORT
Sam Burns goes too short with his putt and looks dejected as he rests on his haunches off the side of the green. It's been a fantastic comeback for Burns but Scheffler still needs to putt out to win.
SCHEFFLER MISSES!
Scottie Scheffler misses from within four feet!
We're tied through 20 holes now and Sam Burns, who looked dejected off the green, is still in this!
What a game of golf!
THE PRESSURE IS STARTING TO SHOW WITH BIG MONEY ON THE LINE
The nerves are running high on the course at the moment and considering the prize funds left to be claimed it's no wonder why!
The winner will receive a whopping $3.5m from a huge $20m prize pot. There's no doubt though whoever snags that pay check will have worked for it.
Here's what our final four players could be winning.
1. $3,500,000
2. $2,200,000
3. $1,420,000
4. $1,145,000
CAMERON YOUNG BEATS RORY MCILROY
Cameron Young knocks in to put the pressure back on McIlroy, but the Northern Irishman can't hit back, with Young claiming the 19th hole in dramatic fashion. He'll advance to the finals with a chance of claiming his first win on the PGA Tour!
'I kept pounding away and kept doing what we wanted to do,' he said.
'I feel like i can hang with anybody in the world.
'Rory is one of the best in the world. Anytime you get to go out to play 19 holes with him is a lot of fun.'
CAMERON YOUNG MOUNTS A HUGE COMEBACK
Cameron Young advances 💪 He'll face the winner of the Scheffler/Burns match for the championship @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/OaHQy6vmXAMarch 26, 2023
What a sensational comeback that was from Cameron Young. He held on right to the end to push Rory McIlroy to the 18th, halving the hole to take this match to a playoff even when the four-time major winner looked in command of this game for so long.
Despite taking a one-hole lead after the fourth, Young slipped behind McIlroy who skirted ahead to take a two-hole lead on the ninth. He held on up until the 15th where Young mounted a stirring comeback before beating McIlroy on the 19th.
SAM BURNS UPSETS THE ODDS TO DEFEAT SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER
Sam Burns birdies the 21st hole to cause the second big upset of the semi-finals to defeat World No 1 Scottie Scheffler in their playoff!
What a dramatic finish to the semi-finals!
WE HAVE OUR FINALISTS: CAMERON YOUNG VS SAM BURNS
What a match! What a way to win! Incredible birdie from Sam Burns to beat the World No.1!pic.twitter.com/021aHg2fIEMarch 26, 2023
Wow! What a day! It's been breathless but we now have our two finalists after Sam Burns and Cameron Young upset the odds to defeat the World No 1 and the World No 3 to claim their spots in the final of the WGC Match Play.
There will now be a little breather as the players prepare for final and the 3rd and 4th place playoff between Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
But don't go anywhere as there's still plenty of analysis, reaction and previews to get through before we tee off for the finals.
SO THE DEFENDING CHAMPION IS OUT!
Sam Burns defeats close friend and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler! A back-and-forth match finishes with a fantastic birdie at the 21st hole. What a final we are in for! pic.twitter.com/t4C6QSgfqxMarch 26, 2023
So Scottie Scheffler will not go back-to-back for the second time this year after he won the WM Phoenix Open earlier in the season.
But how good was Sam Burns coming through in the end there. His resilience scoring a whopping SIX birdies in 11 holes see's him advance to the final.
He's defeated some big opposition to get here though including, Adam Hadwin, Adam Scott, Seamus Power, Patrick Cantlay, Mckenzie Hughes and now the World No 1.
PAUL MCGINLEY BACKS CAMERON YOUNG
Former Ryder Cup captain is backing Cameron Young to win, but still thinks this is going to be a close finish.
Paul McGinley: "Expect this to be a really good close final and as we saw as of this morning, the competitiveness of Burns he got right up in the game, he lost it all and then he managed to draw himself back into it against Scottie Scheffler. A lot of credit for that."
TEE TIMES ARE IN!
The tee times are in...
PREVIEW: WGC DELL TECHNOLOGIES MATCH PLAY FINAL
What a shot from @SamBurns66 🔥 He’s now 1-up with one to play @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/WJ1rvHpQOQMarch 26, 2023
So after an incredible week of golf, we're here at the last stage of the tournament and we have our finalists: Cameron Young and Sam Burns.
We're edging closer to tee off time, with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler to tee off in five minutes in the consolation match.
But let's quickly look at the final with Young looking like the favourite going into this one as he looks to claim his first ever win on the PGA Tour.
His form this week has been impressive but the 25-year-old does lack in some experience compared to Burns who has four wins on the PGA Tour for his career.
Like Burns, Cameron Young has beaten some tough opposition this week including Corey Conners, Davis Thompson, Sepp Straka, Billy Horschel and Kurt Kitayama and now Rory McIlroy.
He'll come into the playoff having birdied five of the last nine holes to turn the tide on the World No 3.
He'll take a lot of confidence into the final from that, yet so will Burns, who looked to be out of the game against Scheffler on several occasions but continued to make birdies, six in nine holes to be precise, to take this to the final.
He too showed his resilience, but after what was an enthralling battle against his good friend Scheffler, arguably, he may fatigue earlier than Young, who has certainly been on the ascendency towards the end of the day.
Ultimately, this is a very tough one to call, but there is one thing that is certain, this will be a battle of resilience, tenacity and concentration.
MCILROY VS SCHEFFLER: STILL A LOT TO PLAY FOR
So we're underway in the consolation match as the two finalists head to the range to warm up ahead of their tee off time later.
But there's still a lot to play for as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy go head-to-head. While this will perhaps be a pretty brisk round of golf, with the masters just 11 days away, both golfers will be eager to get one over the other as a confidence boost heading into the tournament.
The difference between prize money here is $275,000 but more important is World Ranking points.
Scheffler will be the defending champion and for the third time this season will have a chance to win back-to-back tournaments.
McIlroy will be looking to claim his first Green Jacket at Augusta National to win the career grand slam.
MCILROY TAKES FIRST BLOOD
Scheffler misses his putt on the first with the Northern Irishman taking the first win of the round! He's one up through one as the Finalists arrive at the first tee ready to commence battle.
THE FINAL IS UNDERWAY!
Sam Burns and Cameron Young have teed off on the first hole.
There have been 55 birdies and 134 pars on this hole, making it the ninth easiest hole to play this week. Both players birdied it last time out so let's see if it goes down to the wire again!
THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF GOLF
Perhaps one of the photos of the tournament capturing the highs and lows of match play golf. Sam Burns sank to his haunches after Scottie Scheffler looked to be within a very strong chance of winning the second playoff hole. Burns looked beside himself but Scheffler missed his putt, sending the match to the 21st hole.
CAMERON YOUNG SHOOTS FROM THE TREES
Cameron Young found himself in a tricky lie in the trees after his wayward tee shot. But he manages to cut his ball out of the tough lie with a low shot. Yet he'll have another difficult shot with it bouncing over the back of the green.
YOUNG GETS OUT OF TROUBLE
Young gives himself a chance in the first, and has dominated the front nine over the course of the week playing it in 24 under par. He chips up over the hill to put his ball within a chance of scoring a par, which he will likely need in order to halve the hole here.
...AND HE TAPS HOME, BRILLIANT UP AND DOWN
Young taps in to complete a superb up and down. His chipping game certainly rescued him there!
RESPECT BETWEEN TWO FRIENDS
Despite squaring off in the semi-final Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns are known to be great friends. After a tough ending for Scheffler, there was a lot of respect on the course with the two players embracing in a big hug.
PHENOMENAL WEDGE PLAY FROM RORY MCILROY
A stunning approach shot from the left of the fairway sees the World No.3 float the ball with his wedge to within a couple of yards of the hole. He'll have a putt to win the hole here again, as Scheffler also finds the green from a similar distance but can't quite put the ball as close as the four-time major winner.
CAMERON YOUNG, WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Cameron Young is currently playing a Titleist TSR3 Driver. He's a big hitter as he has proved this week. Take a look at our TSR3 review below...
Be sure to also check out his full set up here: Cameron Young What's In The Bag?
Like the TSR2, the TSR3 features the classic-shaped head at address, with the main aim of the driver being to make it faster through the air. Titleist have done this by installing a smoother sole, smaller hosel opening and a taller back section, which is actually more noticeable on the TSR2.
However, looks wise, it is certainly slick and almost Tesla-inspired with how the weight track and silver strip form a T-shape on the sole. What's more, the five-position SureFit CG track has been neatened up so the weight sits more flush in the extreme positions and a new Variable Thickness Face (VFT) pattern, which Titleist is calling Speed Ring, is tailored towards slightly better players that strike the ball within a more centred area on the face.
In testing, the numbers were extremely consistent, with the TSR3 minimising drop offs in speed even from off-centre strikes. However, it's the playability that is the most impressive aspect, as it is the easiest driver to manipulate the flight of. Arguably, it's one of the best drivers for slicers.
- Read our full Titleist TSR3 Driver Review
MCILROY GOES TWO UP
Scheffler cannot match him and fails to hole out from his approach.
McIlroy will now take a two hole lead heading into the fourth hole.
WHAT A PUTT!
We're on the fourth green now and McIlroy drains a winding long putt to put the pressure back on Scheffler who holds his nerve to match the Northern Irish golfer with a birdie.
YOUNG TAKES FIRST BLOOD
Things are starting to come together for Cameron Young, who goes one hole up on the second, after Sam Burns finishes with a bogey.
MCILROY TAKES AN EARLY LEAD WHILE YOUNG EDGES PAST BURNS
The latest scores:
Championship Match: Cameron Young 1 up vs Sam Burns - Through two
Consolation Match: Rory McIlroy 2 up vs Scottie Scheffler - Through five
351 YARDS... NOT A PROBLEM
The 5th hole is a par 4 at a nudge of 350 yards. Rory drives it the back of the green, Scottie to the middle for eagle. Pin is cut right on the front which is its only defence. Scheffler three putts after coming up well short while Rory knocks in an eight-footer to go three up.
Sam Burns very nearly curls one in at the 3rd but can't square the match up.
LOTS OF BIRDIES FLYING AROUND
Needless to say the TV cameras are showing a lot more than they would likely do given who's involved. Never before has a consolation match been so interesting.
But the main event is going on three holes behind them and both players knock it in close at the short 4th and roll in their birdies. Not many signs of nerves given what they're playing for.
BURNS CHIPPING FOR EAGLE
Sam Burns hits a beauty of a drive to leave himself a very straightforward chip from the uphill fringe at the 5th.
Rory's lead looks like being trimmed with Scheffler chipping up close at the par-5 6th.
YOUNG SQUARES THINGS UP
Compliments all round for Young's chip and run... but it just runs too far and tumbles off the green. Burns tidies up beautifully with that eagle chip and the final is levelled.
MONEY TALKS
A quick reminder of the filthy subject of money...
Final: $3.5M for win, $2.2M for runner-up
Consolation: $1.42M for 3rd, $1.145M for 4th
Not sure why the 3rd and 4th is quite so close (not that 275k is particularly close)
QUITE THE FINALE
On the upside of there being so much interest in the 3rd/4th match this does feel more interesting than normal when a Match Play Sunday can be a bit of a yawn. This is all ticking along nicely.
Burns has 236 yards in to the 6th and leaves it 30 yards shy. Young is in a greenside bunker...
BURNS NIGHT?
We're going to be using that headline quite a bit even though it's mid afternoon in Texas. Burns pitches in stiff while Young is a bit further away than 'greenside' but comes out nicely to about 12 feet.
BURNS AHEAD FOR THE FIRST TIME
Young's birdie putt is weak and wide so Burns takes the lead.
Am trying to locate a leaderboard, which should be fairly easy in this day and age, for the Corales Puntacana which is something that I've never typed before. Matt Wallace is two clear playing the last, with Nicolai Hojgaard in a tie for second. Who says the Strategic Alliance isn't working?
WATCH: THAT RORY DRIVE (NOT THAT ONE)
Here he is unleashing one at the short par 4. It's been a good week for Rory and his driver relationship
351 yards to the pin.@McIlroyRory drives the green with ease on No. 5 @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/dgg42nTf9XMarch 26, 2023
FINAL SWINGS BURNS' WAY
Burns and Young both just run off the short 7th. Burns hits a lovely deft shot while Young comes up six feet shy. The par putt slides across the hole and it's another hole to Burns.
McIlroy's lead is also trimmed to just one as they head to the 9th tee.
COUPLE OF BOMBS DOWN THE 8TH
Burns carries it 318 off the 8th tee and into the perfect spot. Young carries it 330... the hole plays a par 5 for the members but the members don't have ball speeds of 189mph.
SLING SHOT
McIlroy slings one around the corner (of the trees that he put himself in) and finds the front fringe with a wonder shot. This is the hole that he got particularly lucky on when it stopped on the brickwork.
FANCY A PINT?
Who would you rather go for a pint with out of Rory or Scottie? The latter seems a nice bloke but not sure you'd want to be stuck with him for too long. Think Rory might be either quite intense or a bit preoccupied and might benefit from a third party eg Harry Diamond.
BURNS ON FIRE
Sam Burns is turning this final around very nicely. Hits a very pure birdie putt on the 8th and rolls it in dead centre and he's now three up. Four birdies in the last five.
RORY AHEAD AT HALFWAY
The former Boy Wonder rolls in a beauty of a par putt to stem the bleeding a bit and he'll head into the back nine on Sunday, albeit in a consolation match, with a one-hole lead.
MATT FINISHES FIRST
Blimey...
Breaking through at Corales 🏆@MattSJWallace claims his first victory on TOUR @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/q5EQgOLz6KMarch 26, 2023
DIVOT: FREE RELIEF?
Cam Young's ball finishes in a divot on the 9th fairway. He has 98 yards to the pin played over a huge chasm. Not a problem, he comes up about 12 feet away, and further proof that anyone who wants a free drop from such a position is very, very wrong.
McIlroy and Scheffler both in tight on the 10th.
FORMER TEAM-MATES
We've just been reminded that Burns and Young were team-mates at the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup. This is how Burns was described in the build up.. the final line is a good one.
'The LSU commit is arguably the hottest player right now in boys junior golf. He advanced to the Round of 32 at the US Amateur shortly after winning the Junior PGA Championship. He has a solid all-around game and his near-upset of top-ranked amateur Ollie Schniederjans at Atlanta Athletic Club shows that he doesn’t get intimidated in match play.'
'THE PERFECT MINDSET FOR MATCH PLAY'
And this is Young's blurb..
'The Wake Forest commit comes from a good golf background – his dad, David, is a PGA professional at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club and is Cameron’s teacher. He also has the perfect mindset for match play and his results back that up – won Polo Golf Junior Classic and made the quarterfinals of the 2014 U.S. Amateur.
PAIR OF PARS
You would have thought that we would have had at least one birdie at the 10th but Rory misses and Scheffler lips out.
The final heads into the back nine Burns three up, only two holes have been halved.
BURNS WELL IN CONTROL
McIlroy's hand comes off the club but his pitching wedge clears the water and he has a great chance to double his lead from around seven feet. Which he misses on the high side, big chance gone.
Burns knocks his wedge pretty close at the 10th and, with Young through the green, he should have two chances to win the hole.
BURNS TURNS THE SCREW
Young chips up well off a poor lie but Burns doesn't give him a second chance and he knocks in another birdie. He was one down after four holes, he's now four up with just eight to play.
Rory, up ahead, is absolutely miles down the 12th fairway.
PAR 5 - DRIVE AND A... WEDGE!
The 12th is 571 yards, admittedly downhill off, but Rory has just hit a very comfy wedge pin high. You do the math.
PUTTS ARE FLYING IN
Sam Burns has a 24-foot birdie putt on the 11th which he makes. Young follows him in to hold on to his coat tails. Cracking response.
Rory holed that eagle putt... good few minutes for the new driver-putter combo.
WET AND WILD
Rory hits a 3-wood off the 13th tee and it's wet from the moment that it came off the clubface. Hence why Scheffler hits an iron which is very tight to the edge of the drink.
Young blocks his tee shot at 12 and uses some adult language and there follows a few apologies.
WALLACE IN WONDERLAND
Matt Wallace, who's just won in the alternate event, admits that he hit two shots out of 145 with a positive mindset at Sawgrass. Which is unlikely to end well.
SLAMMIN' SAM
Young hasn't helped himself by tugging his second to the par-5 12th into the water. Burns plays a commercial shot pin high and he's been faultless for the past couple of hours. Looks like going five up.
BURNS' NIGHT (SORRY)?
A couple of quick wins with Burns and Scheffler closing out wins. Burns could now finish the job at the short par-4 13th.
BURNS SITTING VERY PRETTY
Young's tee shot at the 13th is bang on line but falls five yards short and this could be a slow ending to his week. Burns is in a great spot, just to the right of the par 4. We could see them shake hands very soon.
SAM BURNS WINS THE MATCH PLAY!
Burns has chipped up to about three feet and Young makes his way round from the drop zone and it's caps off and Sam Burns is your new Match Play champ!
RORY SNEAKS ANOTHER
Rory rolls one in at the 14th for a birdie and it slips in the side. Scheffler can't follow him in and this match takes a (welcome) turn and he goes two up.
BURNS ENJOYS HIS BIGGEST WEEK
A lot of noticeable scalps in here...
5 wins in 46 starts 💪@SamBurns66 wins @DellMatchPlay and claims his fifth victory on TOUR. pic.twitter.com/xBW1sXq3lGMarch 26, 2023
BURNS ON FIRE
Sam Burns played his first three holes in one over and then played his next 10 holes in EIGHT under. In the final of the Match Play. There might be lots of birdies knocking about this course but that's some effort after an exhausting week.
BACK TO ONE..
Scheffler makes a birdie at the 15th which is fantastic news for him but you would imagine caused an audible groan in the press tent. It's been a long week and they'll want to get home.
IT'S ALL GONE A BIT SURREAL
Prize givings and golf don't really work, do they? A lot of people in suits and blazers and a lot of shoehorning in of title sponsors.
Up ahead Rory and Scottie continue to slug it out.
STILL GOING STRONG
McIlroy's chipping is very solid, Scheffler's seems to be slightly more spectacular in terms of holing more. Both players have chipped up to about four feet over an awkward slope at the 16th and you would think that both players will make birdies.
THE COMMENTATOR'S CURSE
Scheffler lips out... Rory is less than three feet away and he knocks it in and that's now dormie two.
JUST SEVENTEEN
Scheffler is well inside McIlroy's ball at the short par 3. He'll likely need to hole that to keep this championship chugging along.
RORY TAKES THIRD
After seeing his putt run five feet past the hole McIlroy sinks it and we're all done - a 2&1 victory and the next time we'll see these two is at Augusta National.
