Schauffele whinges at 'lucky' McIlroy after Scheffler stages epic comeback
Scottie Scheffler completed a stunning comeback against Jason Day at the WGC Match Play to tee up the chance of potentially facing Rory McIlroy in the final.
Scottie Scheffler remains on course to defend the WGC Match Play after a spectacular comeback win against former World No.1 Jason Day.
Day came racing out of the blocks and was 4-under after the first six holes at Austin Country Club. It gave him a commanding 3UP lead.
But as we know, this 27-year-old who slipped on the green jacket in 2022, The King's red cardigan and won the Players is made from something different.
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Scheffler was gifted one hole back when Day misjudged his approach at No. 9, missing the green left and failing to get up-and-down for par.
At the very next hole Scheffler drained a putt from all of 29ft to reduce the deficit and pile the pressure firmly on Day.
They tied 11 and 12 before Scheffler turned the screw at 13, 14 and 15 by finding three consecutive birdies.
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Day looked to be struggling physically and even asked for a medical consult. He has previously had issues with vertigo.
So much so that he even collapsed during the 2015 U.S. Open. But Golf Channel later reported that he was having allergy symptoms.
Scheffler eventually closed out the match with a stunning pitching wedge at the par-3 17th, his tee shot landing a matter of inches from the hole.
Day said:
Asked about overcoming the early deficit, Scheffler said:
McIlroy defeats Schauffele
Rory McIlroy booked his place in the final four with a narrow victory over Xander Schauffele having earlier beaten Lucas Herbert.
Schauffele was 2UP after seven holes but the 33-year-old fought back down the stretch.
The match was all square from holes 13 to 17 but McIlroy snatched victory with a 12ft birdie putt at the last.
Earlier in the week McIlroy hit one of the drives of his life to see off Denny McCarthy in the group stages.
McIlroy endured some good fortune at No. 18 when his drive appeared to hit a mother's pram before ricocheting back into a favourable position.
He went on to make birdie whereas Schauffele could only make par.
Schauffele was asked if there was an element of luck involved in this match.
He said:
McIlroy said the 18th hole has been friendly to him this week, adding:
Burns, Young advance to semi-finals
In the other quarterfinals, Sam Burns defeated Mackenzie Hughes 3&2. Hughes was filmed looking frustrated with Max Homa's pace of play during their last 16 tie.
Cameron Young was the last player to book his place in the semi-finals, defeating Kurt Kitayama 1UP.
WGC Match Play Round of 16 Results
S. Scheffler vs. J.T Poston 1UP
M. Kuchar vs. J. Day 1UP
P. Cantlay vs. S. Burns 2&1
M. Homa vs. M. Hughes 3&2
B. Horschel vs. C. Young 5&4
A. Putnam vs. K. Kitayama 6&5
R. McIlroy vs. L. Herbert 2UP
X. Schauffele vs. J.J. Spaun 3&2
Quarterfinal results
S. Burns vs. M. Hughes 3&2
S. Scheffler vs. J. Day 2&1
R. McIlroy vs. X. Schauffele 1UP
C. Young vs. Kurt Kitayama 1UP
Semi-final draw
S. Scheffler vs. S. Burns
R. McIlroy vs. C. Young
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Ben joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
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