Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Friday 29 March 2019
Woods down, but not yet out at Match Play

right now," Snedeker said. "I
bet you my kids were prob-
ably rooting for him late in
the round."
It wasn't a clean match by
any stretch, but the windy,
dry conditions made it
tough on everyone.
"We both made a couple of
mistakes out there, but he
made a few less mistakes
than I did," Woods said. "All
I can do is hopefully get a
point tomorrow and see if
that's good enough."
Dustin Johnson, the top
seed for the third straight
year, lost to Branden Grace
when the South African
poured in a big birdie putt
on the 17th and Johnson
couldn't win the final hole.
That leaves Johnson need-
ing help to win his group.
Justin Thomas recovered
from his opening loss to
beat Matt Wallace. His
chances are alive under
various scenarios.
"Any key is to win this match
today," he said.
Justin Rose delivered the
best comeback. He was
3 down with four to play
against Eddie Pepperell
when he rallied to earn a
Tiger Woods hits from the rough on the sixth hole during round-robin play at the Dell Match Play Championship golf tournament,
Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Austin, Texas. halve with birdies on the
Associated Press last two holes. Cheering
him along outside the ropes
By DOUG FERGUSON Stenson emerged with 2-0 him, and he would only Woods was 1 down when was Mark "Fooch" Fulcher,
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The records from the group of advance if Woods beats hit his second shot under a his caddie who is recover-
magical escape by Tiger major champions. They Cantlay. Otherwise, Snede- bush on the 10th hole, leav- ing from a heart operation
Woods didn't keep him play Friday after knocking ker and Cantlay will return ing him little option but to and worked nine holes of
from losing Thursday in the out Mickelson and Jason to the first tee for a sudden- take a penalty drop. Sne- practice as he readies his
Dell Technologies Match Day. death playoff. deker saw it and played his return to Rose's bag at the
Play. "It's going to be a tough Several groups are like that. third shot conservatively to Masters in two weeks.
He just didn't lose hope of one again," Stenson said. "See you on the first tee to- about 4 feet. In his mind, "He's been walking on the
playing on the weekend. "Jim, I don't think he's given morrow," Horschel said with he was 2 up heading to the sidelines and gave me,
The same couldn't be said away an easy bogey since a smile and a wink to Spi- next tee. 'Come on, Rosie.' I could
for defending champion 1994 or something." eth. Instead, Woods dropped tell he hadn't given up on
Bubba Watson, Brooks Ko- Brandt Snedeker took ad- Horschel and Spieth halved to his right knee to play a me," Rose said. "Picked me
epka, Phil Mickelson, Pat- vantage of too many mis- their match in the opening left-handed shot , invert- up a little bit and made me
rick Reed and a host of takes by Woods off the tee round, both won on Thurs- ing the club and holding it dig a little deeper possibly."
others who have to return and on the greens for a day, and if they win again parallel to the ground. He Furyk wasn't planning to be
Friday morning to Aus- 2-and-1 victory, a big one — Spieth faces Watson, not only made contact, in Texas this week. It wasn't
tin Country Club with no for Snedeker because of Horschel gets Na — they the ball bounced out to until a runner-up finish in
chance of advancing out his opponent's name and would be in a playoff to about 4 feet and he made The Players Championship
of their group. reputation. But it was just determine who reaches the par putt. Snedeker had two weeks ago — he was
The Match Play began to one win. the knockout stage on the to make his putt to keep among the last into the
take shape, more because "I knew I was playing good, weekend. the match from being tied, field at the TPC Sawgrass —
of 20 players from the 64- so I was excited about the Woods, back in the Match which he did. that allowed him to crack
man field mathematically opportunity," Snedeker Play for the first time since Three holes later, Woods hit the top 64 in the world to
eliminated than who can said. "I turned into Tiger's 2013, has never been part iron off the tee and pulled qualify for Match Play.
still reach the weekend. biggest fan tomorrow go- of this round-robin format. it left into the Colorado A victory Friday is likely
Jordan Spieth is still alive ing forward, because I All that mattered was try- River, making double bo- enough to get him into the
after building a 6-up lead need him to go out there ing to win his match, and gey to fall 2 down. Snede- Masters.
through 12 holes on Kevin and beat Patrick (Cantlay) he never led against Sne- ker seized control with a "I guess I'm not really upset
Na, but not winning un- tomorrow." deker. He still provided one 10-foot birdie on the 16th, with anything right this sec-
til four holes later when Snedeker first has to beat of the most remarkable and closed him out on the ond," Furyk said. "I feel pret-
Na missed a 4-foot birdie Aaron Wise, who was elimi- halves on another action- next hole. "I'm probably the ty consistent and pretty sol-
putt. Jim Furyk and Henrik nated when Cantlay beat packed day. most hated man in Texas id throughout my game."q