WGC Game Play: Bryson DeChambeau survives, but Justin Thomas falls apart | Golf News

Bryson DeChambeau kicks back from a bad run around the turn to beat Si Woo Kim and survive at the WGC Game Play in Austin, but Justin Thomas’ world No. 2 has already been eliminated.

Bryson DeChambeau laughed away from a 46-yard drive while keeping WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play’s hopes alive with a crucial win over Si Woo Kim on day two in Texas.

DeChambeau’s case over Antoine Rozner was a major concern on the opening day at Austin Country Club, but he elicited the much-needed response after slamming Kim with just five holes for his played, and suffered a very disappointing moment on the 10th tee.

The U.S. Open champion tried to cut out the remaining dogleg at the 395-yard par-four and hoped to drive the green, but hit a low “sled” heel. a tree fell to the left and rolled back over the fairway, coming to rest near the practice of putting green – 46 yards away.

“I pulled heels lower than I wanted,” said DeChambeau, who was aggravated by the mistake with another man at the short 11th, where he pulled his tee into the water and lost. his third hole in a row to fall behind.

“He came down off the front and came out low. I could have cleared the trees back and forth as I wanted, but I hit him on the wrong part of the face and as a result I hit the arm of the tree. Hey, look, I was trying to drive the green, whether it was the green practice or the 10th green. I got it close! “

DeChambeau won 14 and 15 to regain the lead, and par at the 17th closed a 2 & 1 victory that means he has to beat Tommy Fleetwood on Friday to move on from Group 5.

Fleetwood, who managed the last one to get a separate grip with Kim on the first day, looked in control of his groove with Rozner from the start, traveling into a three-hole lead at the turn before going on to claim a 4 & 3 win, with a win that DeChambeau would get through to the last 16, although a half – game could work in his favor.

“Bryson has been beaten literally and figuratively,” said Fleetwood, who did not play the same previous game against DeChambeau at the 2018 Ryder Cup, when he and Tiger Woods were not equal for pairing perfect Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari.

“He’s been doing really well and clearly well for the game and it will be great to go along with him and see what we can do. I think to be reaching both games down, one more in this group stage and the fate still in your own hands in a way, I think that is a good situation to be in. So a lot to play for. -tomorrow. “

While DeChambeau allowed himself to reach the knockout levels, world No. 2 Justin Thomas collapsed after falling to a 2 & 1 loss to Kevin Kisner in Group 2.

Thomas, who made a storm to victory at the Players Tournament earlier this month, was beaten by 2019 runner Matt Kuchar on the first day and it was a similar story against the defending champion, slipped four behind him at the track before rallying over the back of nine, but not enough to save a result.

Matt Fitzpatrick bounced back from his loss to Jordan Spieth with a terrific 5 & 4 record of Corey Conners leaving Group 15 well balanced, with Spieth held square by Matthew Wolff.

But fellow Englishmen Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Wallace were eliminated, with Hatton once again struggling to keep his temple under control in a 3 & 2 loss to Ryder Cup team-mate Sergio Garcia, while Lee Westwood traveled to a decisive 5 & 3 victory over Wallace.

Garcia now only needs a tie against Wallace on Friday to move on from the European Group 8, although the Spaniard will open the door for Westwood if the veteran can beat Hatton.