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WGC-Match Play: Upsets Rule the Day on Wednesday

By Tim Letcher

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 24: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States putts on the 18th green in his match against Antoine Rozner of France during the first round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 24, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 24: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States putts on the 18th green in his match against Antoine Rozner of France during the first round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 24, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Wednesday was the start of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin and the story of the first day was upsets. And there were many of them.

The day started with Ian Poulter destroying Rory McIlroy 6&5. Poulter won the first hole, was 3-up through five and never looked back. McIlroy was only able to win two holes all day against his Ryder Cup teammate.

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In another big surprise, Dylan Frittelli pounded Tony Finau by the same 6&5 score. Frittelli won the first hole and never trailed. Finau did not win a single hole in the match.

Perhaps the most stunning result of the day came early in the afternoon. Justin Thomas, fresh off a victory at the Players Championship lost to Matt Kuchar 3&2. Kuchar won the first hole and never trailed, leading by as many as 5-up along the way.

If the Thomas-Kuchar result was not the most surprising, then it had to be Antoine Rozner topping Bryson DeChambeau 2-up. Rozner grabbed the lead on the fourth hole and never let up, holding off the long-hitting DeChambeau down the stretch.

In another big surprise, Kevin Streelman beat Viktor Hovland 4&2. Streelman took the lead on the first hole and led the entire way. Hovland did not win a single hole on the day, despite being the much higher-seeded player in this match.

Paul Casey had been playing some of the best golf in his career lately. But on Wednesday, Canadian Mackenzie Hughes took the lead from Casey on the third hole and led the rest of the match. Hughes would win 3&2.

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In other upsets, Carlos Ortiz beat Hideki Matsuyama 4&3; Roberty MacIntyre topped Kevin Na 2&1; and Sergio Garcia whipped Lee Westwood 4&3.

In an event like this one, it’s not odd to see upsets. Match play can certainly produce those. But it was surprising to see Thomas, DeChambeau and McIlroy all lose on day one.

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