Jordan Spieth, the former University of Texas star, calls Austin his second home, his favorite city in the world. So naturally, he’d love to win this week’s World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, which starts Wednesday at the Austin Country Club.
On Monday, Spieth found out the three players he’ll need to beat in order to even think about making the weekend knockout rounds that lead to Sunday afternoon’s finale.
Spieth, who is fifth in this week’s world rankings, headlines the pod of Ryan Moore, Yuta Ikeda and Hideto Tanihara. Moore is the second seeded player in the grouping and will be a formidable opponent.
Moore, a last-minute selection to the American team, clinched the winning point last October to give the United States the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2008. Down two holes, Moore had a come-from-behind victory over Lee Westwood by finishing with eagle, birdie, par.
Spieth said that Moore probably would be in everyone’s top five on who’s among the toughest to beat in match play. Moore was successful in Austin last March, reaching the quarterfinals.
Both Ikeda, who is seeded third in the group, and Tanihara, who is fourth, play mainly on the Japanese pro tour.
Spieth came into last year’s tournament ranked first in the world. He won his group, but lost in the round of 16 to South Africa’s Louis Oostheizen.
The Dell Match Play bracket was revealed Monday night during a ritzy cocktail party at the Hotel Van Zandt in downtown Austin. Guests included Michael Dell, Gov. Greg Abbott, new Texas football coach Tom Herman and former Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy.