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Last Updated: Mar 25, 2017 - 7:40:25 PM |
Day four report
Jon Rahm continued his ascent to the very top of golf’s world order by moving into the semi-finals of the WGC – Dell Technologies Match Play after crushing the hopes of Charles Howell III and Søren Kjeldsen in the last 16 and quarter-finals on Saturday.
The 22 year old Spaniard, currently 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking, took out Howell 6&4 in his morning match, before crushing Kjeldsen 7&5 to set up a semi-final match with Bill Haas on Sunday morning at Austin Country Club.
“The golf I've played the last three matches really has been
very impressive even to myself, and it seemed to get better as I played,
which is something that doesn't happen often," said Jon Rahm. "I felt my confidence was
growing. The first few matches my putter let me down, but I was hitting
the ball great. Today my putter was rolling. I think that's one of the
main why I was able to do it the way I did it today.
“I have said
many times, I really play to win. I compete to win. And my mind-set is
winning. And once I get to tournaments I just focus on what I have to
do, stick to my routine, breakfast, warm up, hit balls, and think about
it each shot at a time. When it comes to it on the course, I really
don't think about it. And once I'm done I try to avoid golf and social
media, because otherwise I might get hung up on things like that and
maybe not be mentally ready for what is to come.
“I try to stay
humble, and honestly I never knew that I was going to be top 4 in both
of the WGC's that I've ever played. That wasn't really on the plans. It
really amazes me that I'm doing this, and I'm playing the semi-final
tomorrow.”
Kjeldsen had taken out William McGirt (6&4) before Rahm proved too strong for the Dane. Haas, meanwhile, was victorious over Kevin Na (1-up) and then Phil Mickelson (2&1) in the quarter-finals.
The other semi-final will see World Number One Dustin Johnson taking on Hideto Tanihara of Japan.
Tanihara defeated the English duo of Paul Casey (3&1) and Ross Fisher (4&2) to set up a date with Johnson in the last four. Fisher can console himself with the knowledge that his victory over Bubba Watson on Saturday morning enabled him to amass enough World Ranking points to move into the top 50 and book a place at Augusta National in two weeks’ time at the Masters.
“Getting to the Masters was a goal at the start of the
week," Ross Fisher said. "After Wednesday, it was looking a little bit too far away but I
hung in there and fought really, really hard. To get to where I have
this week, I'm obviously delighted to be going to Augusta. Disappointed
with this afternoon and to get knocked out, but it just one of those
days. Just didn't quite have it on the greens. I look forward to taking
a week off next week. I think I'll probably stay over in the States,
rest over at Lake Nona and hopefully Jo and the kids will join me at the
end of the week. I’ll try to get to Augusta on Saturday to secure one
of those nice tee off times for Wednesday. That would be a dream come
true to have my kids Harry and Eve caddie for me in the par three
contest. I’ve played there before when they were still too young, but
now they are a great age of 7 and 5. It will be a truly memorable week.”
Johnson had taken out namesake Zach 5&4 before defeating Alex Noren 3&2 in the quarter-finals.
“I thought I played good, said Johnson. "I got off to a good start against Alex and was three up through three. I knew Alex was going to be a tough opponent. I played really well the rest of the front nine and was three-up at the turn. I gave him two holes there on 10 and 11. And he made a nice putt on 12, so got it back to all square. But then I birdied 13, 15 and 16 to close out the match. I played really well, just hit one bad shot on 11. That was about it.”
Full results available here: R5-brackets-wgc.pdf
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