AUSTIN (Texas) — Keegan BradleyHis dubious streak grew to 16 matches in 11 years. He has not won the Dell Technologies match play. He certainly felt like a winner Wednesday.
Bradley was 4 down and had five holes left to play when he rallied and won a hale against Denny McCarthyAustin Country Club, opening round
Bradley said, “Gosh that felt good.” It was hard work. It could go a long way so I’m excited about it.”
Champion defender and top seed Scottie SchefflerTwo putts were missed within 5 feet in the last five holes, before making a 12-footer on the 18th for birdie. Davis RileyIn a rematch their U.S.. Scheffler won the Junior Amateur title match 10 year ago.
Jon RahmNo. 2 seed -. The No. 2 seed was also the only player among the top four seeds that lost. Rickie FowlerRahm lost the 17th hole to him, his first loss in the opening round.
Matt KucharAt 44, he is the oldest player on the field. Viktor HovlandHe won his 35th Match, one less than the career tournament record. Tiger Woods. Rory McIlroyHis 3-and-1 win over the Dutch was won with a shorter shaft in the driver and a new putter. Scott Stallings.
Wednesday’s first round of group play saw nothing. Each of the 16 groups will send one player to the knockout stage. Bradley felt that every point was important, and that even a half point made a difference.
He made his Match Play debut by beating Geoff OgilvyThe tournament’s most successful player is, with a winning percentage of 80%. Bradley’s last victory was that one. He has lost nine matches and halved seven since then. It was not without a fight. This was his 11th consecutive match, dating back to 2015. It was decided on the 18th green, lose or draw.
Bradley said, “Man it was looking pretty bleak out there for a while.” He drove into water on the reachable par-413th to make birdie, and then went 4 down.
He said, “I finally started hitting some great shots coming in, which definitely paid off.”
He won the 14th hole after McCarthy missed a four-foot par putt. Bradley won the 15th with an eagle putt from 6 feet. The par-5 16th was won with a 6-foot birdie. Bradley won the par-3 17th hole by halving it, and he hit wedge to 6 foot to win the last hole.
Adam Scott felt even better. He didn’t lead the match against him. Seamus PowerHe made a 25-foot birdie at the final hole.
“Just to win anything feels good. Scott said that he hasn’t won anything in a while. His last PGA Tour victory was at Riviera three years ago.
Scheffler, who has lost and won in the championship match in both of his Match Play appearances, has never trailed Riley. It was not easy, especially after the pillow fight at its end.
Scheffler drove to 13th green and made a 25-foot eagle shot for a 2-up lead. He missed a 5-foot putt, but he hooked his next tee shot in the Colorado River.
The Masters champion missed a 10 footer on the 15th. Riley had a chance at a tie on the 16th but missed a 3-footer. Scheffler returned his favor by missing a 3-footer on 17th, which would have closed the match.
Scheffler was just 8 feet from Riley for a birdie attempt, so he made his 12-footer. He gave a light fist pump as well as a huge sigh of relief.
Scheffler said, “I’m going back to remember the putt at the last hole, and take that energy into the future.”
A long day gave us plenty of great shots. J.J. SpaunDuring his win over the U.S. Open champion, he holing out at the 13th fairway Matt FitzpatrickTo Jordan SpiethEnding his match with birdie, he lied to the squirrels. Mackenzie Hughes4, 3 and 4.
Kuchar wouldn’t be eligible for 64-man field if nine LIV Golf players weren’t ineligible. Woods, who is 36-12 with three titles, is his target. Kuchar won the three opening holes and had to win against Hovland, who was No. 8 seed, who made too many errors to catch up.
Kuchar said that he’s been out here for a while and that his Match Play record has improved to 35-11-4. “It’s a great thing to have a conversation with Tiger Woods.
McIlroy has had a difficult year with the driver so he switched to a 44-inch shaft that was slightly softer (he was at 44 1/2 inches) in order to get more spin. He also used a replica of the putter he used in his first major win a decade ago.
He stated, “I needed a slightly softer shaft. It allows me to hit more shots and feels a bit more comfortable.” It was a pleasure to see. It was great to put it into play today and have it perform quite well. It was great, especially the back nine.
“Obviously, this part of the season, you have one eye on Augusta and one on what you’re doing right now.”
