Thomas advances, has shot to be No. 1
Justin Thomas won two matches Saturday to reach the semifinals of the Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas.
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 before winning three straight holes to start the back nine and defeating Kyle 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 is Bubba Watson, his semifinal opponent today.
“It will and would be a great accomplishment,” Thomas said of the top ranking. “But I’m just worried about trying to beat Bubba Watson tomorrow.”
Watson defeated Brian Harman in the morning and Kiradech Aphibarnrat in the afternoon.
Alex Noren continued his good play at Austin Country Club by needing only 31 holes to beat Patrick Reed and Cameron Smith.
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.
Thomas (No. 2) and Noren (No. 13) are the only top seeds from the 16 groups who advanced to the semifinals.
PGA Tour
Brice Garnett took a sixstroke lead into the third round at the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. He came out with a twostroke advantage.
Garnett bogeyed three of the final six holes for a 3-under 69 and a 16-under 200 total to lead Corey Conners (67) by two shots and Tyler McCumber (67) by four.
PGA Tour Champions
Steve Stricker moved into position for his second PGA Tour Champions victory, shooting a 3-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead at the Rapiscan Systems Classic in Biloxi, Mississippi. He is at 7-under 137 heading into today’s final round.
First-round leader Joe Durant followed his opening 66 with a 72 to drop into a tie for second with Jeff Sluman (67).
LPGA Tour
A day after shooting an 8-under 64 to take a fivestroke lead, Cristie Kerr shot a 75 to drop a stroke behind Lizette Salas, EunHee Ji and In-Kyung Kim at the Kia Classic in Carlsbad.
Kerr is tied with Caroline Hedwall, Wei-Ling Hsu and Cindy LaCrosse, and four players are another shot back.
Ji had a 67 to match Salas (69) and Kim (69) at 11-under 205.