Rory, Scheffler, Rahm prevail
WASHINGTON (AFP) — An amazing tee shot by Rory McIlroy led the world No. 3 to join top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler and second-ranked Jon Rahm in capturing clutch victories from Thursday's second group matches at the WGC Match Play Championship.
McIlroy made an epic drive with a stunning 375yard blast at the 18th hole, landing the ball within four feet of the hole for a tap-in eagle that clinched a 2-up triumph over US 48th seed Denny McCarthy.
"It was good," McIlroy said. "I didn't think I could get it on the green."
Scheffler and McIlroy remained unbeaten while Rahm bounced back from an opening loss at Austin (Texas) Country Club, where 16 winners from four-man groups will advance to weekend knockout rounds.
Also in McIlroy's group, US 20th seed Keegan Bradley won his first WGC match in 11 years, ripping compatriot Scott Stallings 6&5.
McIlroy need only tie Bradley on Friday to advance.
Reigning Masters champion Scheffler, who won the Players Championship earlier this month, downed Swedish 38th seed Alex Noren 5&4 after only edging US 54th seed Davis Riley 1 up in a Wednesday opener.
On Friday, Scheffler faces South Korean 17th seed Tom Kim, who lost 1 up to Riley.
Rahm, a three-time PGA winner this year, bounced back from an opening loss to Rickie Fowler by beating US 39th seed Keith Mitchell 4&3.
Rahm needs a Friday victory over 2021 WGC Match Play champion Billy Horschel to have a chance to advance.
Horschel beat Fowler 3&2 after an opening draw with Mitchell.
US fourth seed Patrick Cantlay beat South Korea's Lee Kyoung-hoon 4&2 and faces countryman Brian Harman on Friday for a last-16 berth while US fifth seed Max Homa reached 2-0 by beating 2019 Match Play champion and 2022 runner-up Kevin Kisner 3&2.
US seventh seed Will Zalatoris was eliminated with a 5&3 loss to US 37th seed Harris English and Norway's eighth-seeded Viktor Hovland was ousted with a 4&3 loss to South Korean 34th seed Kim Si-woo.
Chris Kirk sank a ninefoot birdie putt to win 18 and tie 2013 Match Play winner Matt Kuchar, keeping the 44-year-old from matching the event record 36 match wins of Tiger Woods.