Jason Day – file photo USGA
Jason Day and Lucas Herbert have bowed out of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play Championship in Austin Texas but not before both had given their Round of 16 and Quarter Final opponents (respectively) a run for their money.
Herbert was up against Rory McIlroy in the opening round of knockout match play on Saturday morning and it took a birdie at the final hole by the world number three to finally eliminate Herbert’s brave challenge.
Herbert reeled off seven birdies to McIlroy’s eight in their epic encounter, the Australian keeping the contest tight until McIlroy all but drove the green at the last, pitched to 3 feet and won the hole and the match with a birdie to finish 2 up.
“I got to beaten by the best player in the world probably playing the best golf of anyone in the where would today,” said Herbert when describing the quality of play both produced.
“You know, I’ve got nothing but just pride for the way I played. Pushed him all the way to the end. I just didn’t feel like there was a hell of a lot more I could have done. I played really, really nicely.
“Played nicely for four days in a row, so it’s frustrating to finish the tournament here. Just really proud of myself.
“If I can keep playing like that we’re going to have a lot of good weeks in the future. A lot to take way from a it. Big turnaround from Sawgrass, so really proud of myself for that.
“It’s just a lot of good positives to take into the future. Yeah, just sucks that I came up against the best player in the world today.”
Day survived a tight encounter against Matt Kuchar in his morning Round of 16 match, winning 1 up after a birdie from 15 feet at the 16th edged him ahead. The shot of the round however was likely Day’s second from 260 yards to the 6th which finished 10 feet from the hole and led to an eagle and a win against Kuchar’s birdie on the same hole.
Day was then up against current world number one, Scottie Scheffler and he was quickly out of the blocks to lead by 3 holes through the opening six holes, the 6th hole once again producing a highlight shot when from 280 yards Day’s 5 wood second shot finished 5 feet from the hole which he converted for eagle.
The momentum began to swing back the other way when Day pulled his second to the 8th hole and found the greenside bunker and took bogey and when Scheffler birdied the 9th they made the turn with Day only one ahead.
It was then that Scheffler turned on the magic he has become known for over the past 15 months or so. He would birdied the 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes, the last with an almost hole out at the par 3 17th to close out the match 2&1 but for Day it continues a dramatic return to the sort of form we became accustomed to several years ago.
The great run he has had this week will lift Day even in the world ranking to around 36 and ensure he will take his place in the field for the Masters in two week’s time.
“I am excited to be back. The game is looking nice. There’s still some stuff swing-wise that pops in every now and then, like the wedge shot on 14 that — it’s just in between patterns. I’ve just got to kind of work out those kinks. I feel happy with where I’m at. I’ve got a week off coming up now, and then get in probably Friday and prepare then.”
Herbert’s week is expected to lift him to world number 51, agonisingly, just outside the required mark to play the Masters.
In tomorrow’s semi finals Scheffler will meet Sam Burns and McIlroy takes on Cameron Young.
