Day’s rival ‘frustrating’

JASON Day believes a “frustrating” Phil Mickelson is the biggest hurdle to overcome if he wants to advance from a star-studded group at the $10.25 million ($A14.4m) World Golf ChampionshipsMatch Play in Texas.

Day’s quest to add to his 2014 and 2016 WGC-Match Play titles was made considerably more difficult when he drew veteran major winners Mickelson, Henrik Stenson and Jim Furyk for the group stage at Austin Country Club.

Five-time major winner Mickelson has a tendency to hit wayward drives but also has one of the best short games.

Former world No.1 Day’s clash with the 48-year-old lefthander is not until Friday, his last pool match, but the Queenslander is preparing for his nerves to be tested.

“Phil can be frustrating because you think he’s out of the hole (after an errant drive) but he never is,” Day said.

“Stenson and Furyk are straight hitters and aren’t going to make too many mistakes. But Phil is tough because you have to assume your opponent is never out of the hole and with guys who don’t always hit the fairway it’s easy to be overconfident.”

Day is an intimidating WGC-Match Play opponent courtesy of his own world-class short game, having won 22 matches and lost 11 in eight appearances.