High-stakes showdown in Texas
> Thomas to face Watson with No. 1 at stake in WGC Match Play semis
JUSTIN THOMAS won twice yesterday to move one triumph from the world No. 1 ranking and into a semifinal against two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson at the WGC Match-Play Championship.
Second seed Thomas, who won his first major title at last August’s PGA Championship, routed South Korean Kim Si-woo 6&5 in the round of 16 and saw off fellow American Kyle Stanley 2&1 in the quarterfinals at Austin Country Club in Texas.
If he beats Watson today, Thomas will play in the afternoon for the crown against the winner of the other semifinal between Swede Alex Noren and American Kevin Kisner.
“All I can do is go play the best I can,” Thomas said. “(Bubba) has been showing some really good form. He’s a really great player. I have to hope he doesn’t have a hot day.”
Watson, seeded 35th, edged Brian Harman 2&1 in the round of 16 and ousted Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat 5&3 in the quarterfinals.
“We were just trying to put the ball in position, trying to give us the best birdie chances. The pin placements are in some tough spots around here,” said Watson, whose only other semifinal run ended in a 2011 loss to Germany’s Martin Kaymer.
Top-ranked Dustin Johnson crashed out in group play to give the No. 1 opportunity to Thomas, who along with Noren were the only group top seeds to advance.
With the start of the Masters looming on April 5 at Augusta National, Thomas could join Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth in reaching world No. 1 before the age of 25.
Thomas is seeking his ninth career PGA title and fourth in seven months after wins at TPC Boston last September, the CJ Cup in South Korea last October and the Honda Classic last month.
Kisner thrashed Ian Poulter 8&6 in the quarterfinals, the most lopsided win ever so deep into the event, after edging compatriot Matt Kuchar 1 up.
Noren, seeking his first US PGA victory, eliminated Patrick Reed 5&3 in the round of 16 and downed Australian Cameron Smith 4&2 in the quarterfinals.
Thomas and Stanley were all square after nine but Thomas won the next three holes.
Stanley answered by winning 13 on an 11-foot birdie putt but they halved the next four holes as Thomas advanced.
“I played well today but didn’t get off to the same start I had been getting,” Thomas said.
“I made a lot of key putts, par savers, to keep me running smoother on the back nine.
“I’ve just been trying to play my game. I haven’t been trying to play my opponent too much.”
Poulter needed to reach the semifinals to crack today’s top 50 in the world rankings and book a spot at the Masters in two weeks.
But Kisner won five consecutive holes to go 5up after seven and Poulter’s misery ended at 12.
“I didn’t mess up and I threw a few birdies in there and that’s how it got that way,” Kisner said. I hadn’t been playing well but put in some prep this week and started to see some results.”
Poulter must now win next week’s Houston Open to qualify for the Masters. – AFP