No. 1 at stake for Thomas in Austin

Watson is next in Match Play semis

AUSTIN, Texas — Justin Thomas won two matches Saturday to reach the semifinals of the Dell Technologies Match Play.

One more and he gets to No. 1 in the world.

Thomas made quick work of Si Woo Kim in the morning, and then trailed for the first time all week against Kyle Stanley — just not for long. Thomas won three straight holes to start the back nine, made a 6-foot par putt to stay in control and closed out Stanley, 2-and-1.

Dustin Johnson didn’t win a match this week and will not get any world ranking points. That means Thomas only has to reach the championship match today to become the seventh American to reach No. 1.

In his way was Bubba Watson, who is back to playing like a two-time Masters champion.

“It will and would be a great accomplishment,” Thomas said. “But I’m just worried about trying to beat Bubba Watson tomorrow.”

Watson made all the key putts in a battle of Georgia southpaws when he beat Brian Harman in the morning, and then he turned a tight match into a runaway against Kiradech Aphibarnrat by winning five of six holes on the back nine for a 5-and-3 victory.

Alex Noren extended his run at Austin Country Club by winning for the ninth time in his last 10 matches. Noren and Thomas are the only semifinalists who have not lost a match this week.

Kevin Kisner reached the semifinals with a big putt and a big blowout. He made a birdie on the 18th hole to beat Matt Kuchar, and then matched the shortest match of the week with an 8-and-6 victory over Ian Poulter, who was disappointed for more than just losing.

“Probably didn’t see that one coming,” Kisner said. “I thought it was going to be a difficult match. Obviously, Ian’s match-play record speaks for itself. I got off to a good start making a few birdies. He made a few mistakes, and I was able to capitalize on those. And things just snowballed from there.”

CHAMPIONS: In Biloxi, Miss., Steve Stricker moved into position for his second straight tour victory, shooting a 3-under 69 in gusting wind to take a one-stroke lead in the Rapiscan Systems Classic.

PGA: In Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Brice Garnett took a six-stroke lead into the wind Saturday in the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. He came out with a two-stroke advantage.

Garnett bogeyed three of the final six holes in the wind and rain for a 3-under 69 and a 16-under 200 total. Canadian Corey Conners was second after a 67.

Today on TV

Match Play semifinals 8 a.m., GOLF, 1 p.m., NBC