STRONG SHOWING
Kiradech gains control with second victory at WGC Match Play
>> AUSTIN: Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat maintained his winning run at the WGC Match Play with a thrilling 1-up triumph over Keegan Bradley of the US on Thursday.
After a comfortable opening day win over Chez Reavie, Kiradech produced late birdies on 17 and 18 to turn the tables on Bradley at the Austin Country Club in the Group Three match.
The former Asian Tour No.1, who won the 2015 Paul Lawrie Match Play and last month’s World Super 6 Perth which featured a match play format on the last day, needed a win or a half in his last group match against world No.3 Jon Rahm this morning (Thai time) to move into knockout phase for the first time in his career.
Kiradech’s showdown with Bradley, a three-time PGA Tour winner, was a close affair with the Thai holding a 1-up lead at the turn. The lead switched hands on 16 when Bradley made birdie but Kiradech fought back with birdies from six feet and 13 feet over the last two holes to seal a hardfought win.
“I’m really proud with the way I putted on the last hole. I tried to control myself, [keep] calm, and play shot by shot all day. First time I get 1-down on 16 but it was nice the last two holes,” said a delighted Kiradech, who made seven birdies during his match.
“It means a lot. I have been playing good golf. I’m really comfortable with the swing for a couple of months now. Then match play really suit my game. So I think, just keep playing my own game, pay attention, keep calm.”
Kiradech, who finished tied fifth at the WGC-Mexico Championship earlier this month, still had to take care of business against Rahm, who was out of the running after losing to Reavie in the other group match on Thursday.
“It’s still about tomorrow. If I win tomorrow, I will win the group,” said the Thai.
A strong showing in Austin could also enhance Kiradech’s dream of earning playing rights on the PGA Tour.
“The next one [goal] would be a PGA Tour card, which is one of the goals for everyone in the world. Especially from a little country in Asia like Thailand, to have a card over here will be fantastic,” he said.
Meanwhile, world No.1 Dustin Johnson crashed out after suffering his second defeat of the tournament.
Defending champion Johnson, who suffered an upset loss to Austrian Bernd Wiesberger on Wednesday, was beaten 4 & 3 by Canada’s Adam Hadwin.
The loss made it impossible for Johnson to progress from Group One, with Hadwin — who halved his opening match with Kevin Kisner — assured of finishing above the top seed.
Johnson trailed from the opening hole against 38th seed Hadwin, who set up a simple birdie chance after hitting his iron from the fairway to within four feet.
Johnson birdied the fifth to draw level but Hadwin edged back in front on the sixth after draining a 13-foot eagle putt on the 590-yard par-five.
The 30-year-old from Moose Jaw went two up at the turn with another superb putt, rolling in a 38-footer.
Johnson then found himself three down after three-putting on the parthree 11th, and his problems mounted on the 13th when his tee shot found the water hazard to help Hadwin go four up.
Hadwin sealed victory at the 15th when Johnson conceded.
A delighted Hadwin admitted he had expected a tougher challenge from Johnson.
“Obviously I really expected Dustin to play a lot better than he did, I think everybody did coming into this week,” Hadwin said.
“I played extremely solid all day long. I made the putts from five and seven feet when I needed to to keep the momentum on my side.
“I knew if I played well it would be a good match. And Iplayed well.”
European Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter once again demonstrated his penchant for match play with his second win, defeating US 26th seed Daniel Berger 2 & 1.
Poulter, seeded 58th, has reverted to the putter that he used during Europe’s “Miracle at Medinah” Ryder Cup win in 2012.
The Englishman is aiming for a high finish in Austin this week as he tries to snare a place in the Masters by breaking into the world top 50.
“Today I holed some putts at the right time,” said Poulter.
“Match play is a confidence game. If you can get out there and establish a lead early and continue to hit good shots you can put pressure on your opponent,” he added.
Poulter next faces 33rd seed Kevin Chappell aiming to seal his place in the last 16.
US Ryder Cup teammates Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed set up a winner takes all showdown in Group Four with their second wins of the competition.
Spieth was a 4 & 2 winner over China’s Li Haotong while Reed defeated South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel 1-up. Reed and fourth seed Spieth meet with the winner reaching the last 16.
Northern Ireland sixth seed Rory McIlroy kept his advancement hopes alive by beating Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas 2 & 1.
England’s 10th-seeded Paul Casey beat Kyle Stanley 4&2 to go 2-0.
Phil Mickelson, seeded 14th, was ahead only once but that was when it mattered in a 1-up win over Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira.
RESULTS
(x denotes seed)
Thursday’s group-stage matches
Group 1: Adam Hadwin (CAN x38) bt Dustin Johnson (USA x1) 4 & 3; Kevin Kisner (USA x32) bt Bernd Wiesberger (AUT x52) 5 & 4 Group 2: Justin Thomas (USA x2) bt Patton Kizzire (USA x48) 3 & 1; Francesco Molinari (ITA x21) bt Luke List (USA x60) 3 & 2
Group 3: Chez Reavie (USA x43) bt Jon Rahm (ESP x3) 1 up; Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA x28) bt Keegan Bradley (USA x63) 1 up
Group 4: Jordan Spieth (USA x4) bt Li Hao Tong (CHN x34) 4 & 2; Patrick Reed (USA x19) bt Charl Schwartzel (RSA x49) 1 up
Group 5: Cameron Smith (AUS x46) bt Hideki Matsuyama (JPN x5) 1 up; Patrick Cantlay (USA x30) bt Yusaku Miyazato (JPN x53) 1 up Group 6: Rory McIlroy (NIR x6) bt Jhonattan Vegas (VEN x44) 2 & 1; Brian Harman (USA x18) bt Peter Uihlein (USA x57) 3 & 2 Group 7: Sergio Garcia (ESP x7) bt Dylan Frittelli (RSA x41) 2 up; Xander Schauffele (USA x20) bt Shubhankar Sharma (IND x62) 3 & 1 Group 8: Jason Dufner (USA x42) bt Jason Day (AUS x8) 3 & 1; James Hahn (USA x56) bt Louis Oosthuizen (RSA x25) 3 & 1
Group 9: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG x9) bt Kevin Chappell (USA x33) 7 & 6; Ian Poulter (ENG x58) bt Daniel Berger (USA x26) 2 & 1
Group 10: Paul Casey (ENG x10) bt Kyle Stanley (USA x45) 4 & 2; Russell Henley (USA x51) bt Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG x31) 2 & 1 Group 11: Bubba Watson (USA x35) bt Marc Leishman (USA x11) 3 & 2; Branden Grace (RSA x23) bt Julian Suri (USA x64) 2 & 1
Group 12: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG x12) bt Brendan Steele (USA x36) 3 & 2; Alexander Levy (FRA x55) bt Charley Hoffman (USA x22) 1 up Group 13: Alex Noren (SWE x13) bt Thomas Pieters (BEL x39) 5 & 4; Tony Finau (USA x29) bt Kevin Na (USA x61) 3 & 2
Group 14: Phil Mickelson (USA x14) bt Satoshi Kodaira (JPN x40) 1 up; Charles Howell (USA x59) bt Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP x17) 3 7 1 Group 15: Webb Simpson (USA x37) bt Pat Perez (USA x15) 2 & 1; Kim Si-Woo (KOR x50) bt Gary Woodland (USA x24) 5 & 3
Group 16: Matt Kuchar (USA x16) bt Yuta Ikeda (JPN x47) 1 up; Ross Fisher (ENG x27) bt Zach Johnson (USA x54) 2 up