Tournament debutants Andy Sullivan and Danny Willett play each other on Friday with both still battling to reach the last 16 at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play in San Francisco.
Willett beat American opposition for the second day running, following up his victory over Ryan Moore with a 2 and 1 win over Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed.
Reed had come back to beat Sullivan on the opening day, but the Englishman saw the game out against Moore 3 and 2 at TPC Harding Park.
If Moore beats Reed on Friday the winner of the all-English encounter is guaranteed a place in the last 16, while Willett will go through with victory regardless of other results. Wins for Sullivan and Reed would lead to a three-way play-off.
“It was good,” said Willett. “We knew it was going to be a tough match.
“He holed out on the first for eagle, and then it was a really close match.
“I haven't played with him [Sullivan] much at all. Amateur-wise, we were a couple of years apart. Just going to go out and same game plan tomorrow and see what we can do.
Sullivan has qualified for the event after an amazing start to 2015 which saw him win twice in South Africa.
“To play well yesterday and lose, it was cold, disappointing,” he said. “So today to come back in and get the first win, it's amazing.
“It's just that little bit more; 64 of the world's best players are here and everyone is getting excited about it. We're all getting excited about it, anyway.
“It's been absolutely fantastic. First time to America, and just absolutely loving it, just embracing the whole thing, just enjoying it and playing my golf.
“If I play my game and play well, I'm always going to have a chance.
“It will be an all English battle. I'm really looking forward to it. It will be fun.”
