Defending champion Scottie Scheffler cruised into the knockout stages of the 2023 WGC - Dell Technologies Match Play with his third straight victory at Austin Country Club on Friday.
The World Number One maintained his phenomenal record at this event - where he has finished second and first in the last two editions - with a three-hole victory over Tom Kim to win Pool 1.
Scheffler will face fellow American J.T. Poston in the round of 16 after he beat Maverick McNealy 3&1 in Pool 16 to preserve his own perfect record this week.
Scheffler is expecting a tough contest in the next round.
He said: "J.T is very talented. I think he's had a couple of tournaments on Tour where he's made no bogeys for 72 holes.
"So he's a player that can get hot. It should be a fun match tomorrow morning."
Prior to their 9:06 a.m. local tee time at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Hideki Matsuyama has conceded his match to Max Homa due to a neck injury. Homa advances out of group play with a 3-0-0 record.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) March 24, 2023
Max Homa became the first player to reach the last 16 on day three after his opponent - 2021 Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama - withdrew before their final Pool 5 meeting with a neck injury.
In Pool 9, Jason Day advanced after beating Collin Morikawa 4&3, and Frenchman Victor Perez signed off with a comfortable 5&4 win over Adam Svensson.
Sam Burns won Pool 13, securing his third successive win with a two-hole victory over Séamus Power.
Irishman Power had gone into the match knowing a win would earn him a play-off, and he led on two occasions - but Burns fought back to head into the next round with a spotless record.
Elsewhere in that group, Adam Hadwin earned a 3&2 win over Adam Scott.
The winner of Pool 12 was decided by a play-off, with Mackenzie Hughes beating Taylor Montgomery at the first extra hole to go through, having also beaten Montgomery in their final group match earlier in the day. Shane Lowry beat Jordan Spieth 2&1 in the group's other match.
Matt Kuchar equalled Tiger Woods' record of 36 wins at this event with a convincing 7&6 victory over Si Woo Kim in Pool 8, booking his place in the last 16 in the process.
Also in that group, Norway's Viktor Hovland finished his campaign with a consolation victory, beating Chris Kirk 4&3.
Patrick Cantlay came out on top in his winner-takes-all Pool 4 clash against fellow American Brian Harman, securing a 2&1 victory to progress.
