Defeat leaves Knox facing must-win Willett showdown
RUSSELL KNOX has to beat Masters champion Danny Willett today to keep his hopes of making the last 16 of the WGC-Dell MatchPlay Championship alive.
The Scot lost 3&1 to KT Kim on the second day’s play in Texas with the South Korean never looking back after racing to four up after eight holes.
And when Knox missed a birdie putt on the 17th he conceded defeat.
But even if Knox wins against the Englishman, Kim will make it through if he beats American Bill Haas who yesterdat thrashed Willett 6&5.
A day after defending champion Jason Day pulled out to spend time with his mother as she undergoes cancer treatment, Italy’s Francesco Molinari also withdrew with a wrist injury after suffering a 5&3 defeat to Thongchai Jaidee.
That meant Sweden’s Alex Noren, who was due to play Molinari today, advanced from group eight having beaten Bernd Wiesberger 3&2 to claim his second victory of the week.
World No.1 Dustin Johnson made it two wins out of two by making it past Martin Kaymer 3&2.
Bubba Watson secured his second win, beating fellow American Scott Piercy 4&3. The former Masters champ has not had a top-10 finish since the Tour Championship in September.
But world No.17 Watson could be hitting form at the right time with The Masters a fortnight away and will make the last 16 by beating Thomas Pieters today.