Tiger digs deep to set up last-16 showdown with McIlroy at WGC-Match Play

Tiger Woods won his must-win game at the WGC-Match Play Championship on Saturday to set up a last-16 clash with Rory McIlroy.
Friday was the third and final day of the round-robin format at Austin Country Club, and saw the 64-man field whittled down to 16 competitors who will vie for the title over the weekend.
After his loss to Brandt Snedeker the day before, Woods was left needing to beat Patrick Cantlay on Friday in order to advance, and he did so in fine style courtesy of a 4&2 result. Snedeker also did his bit by losing to Aaron Wise. Had he won, Woods still would have been knocked out.
The highlight of Woods’ round came at the par-4 13th where he chipped in for eagle from 82 yards.
Tiger was 1-down walking off the 10th green Friday.
10: 1-down
11: AS
12: 1-up
13: 2-up
14: 3-up
15: 3-up
16: 4-up (winner 4 and 2)#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/X5qj0cq6H6— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 30, 2019
Woods’ victory set up a last-16 showdown with none other than McIlroy, who also booked his spot in the knockout stages with a 4&2 win over countryman Matthew Fitzpatrick.
Cruise control.@McIlroyRory continues to roll.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/54kdrEE9Zb
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 29, 2019
“It’s exciting for the tournament. I’m sure it’s going to be exciting for us,” McIlroy said. “I feel good about my game. I’m going to stick with my game plan and not look at him until I have to near the end.”
🐅 vs. @McIlroyRory.
9:30 a.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/asmjRUzuAE
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 30, 2019
“I’ll be ready,” added Woods, who was 2-down against Cantlay in the early stages before taking control of the contest on the back nine.
On his eagle at 13, he added: “I was just trying to get it up close and next thing you know it falls in. I’ll take it.”
Elsewhere, second seed Justin Rose also advanced after edging 22nd seed Gary Woodland 1-up. He will take on 57th seed Kevin Na, the lowest seed in the last 16, for a place in the last eight.
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson never trailed against Jim Furyk as he set up a clash with Danish 50th seed Lucas Bjerregaard.
Some of the big names who got knocked out include top seed and World No 1 Dustin Johnson, third seed Brooks Koepka, fifth seed Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Jason Day, Phil Mickelson and Jordan Spieth.
Johnson came unstuck against 24th seed Hideki Matsuyama, which enabled Branden Grace to advance from that group, while Koepka was beaten by Alen Noren, effectively sending Haotong Li through.
First sudden-death playoff hole …
The winner advances …
Pressure is on …@Haotong_Li is clutch.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/B4yVLLgHLc— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 29, 2019
Thomas halved his match with Keegan Bradley, which allowed Lucas Bjerregaard to advance thanks to his win over Matt Wallace.
Here’s a full rundown of Saturday’s Round of 16 matches:
Lucas Bjerregaard (50) v Henrik Stenson (37)
Rory McIlroy (4) v Tiger Woods (13)
Matt Kuchar (23) v Tyrrell Hatton (35)
Branden Grace (40) v Sergio Garcia (26)
Marc Leishman (17) v Louis Oosthuizen (19)
HaoTong Li (36) v Kevin Kisner (48)
Francesco Molinari (7) v Paul Casey (10)
Justin Rose (2) v Kevin Na (57)
The Round of 16 is set @DellMatchPlay. pic.twitter.com/UFZwLBuaJE
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 30, 2019
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.