More surprises at Match Play event
MARANA, Ariz. — Geoff Ogilvy wasn’t sure what to make of the 16 players left at the Match Play Championship. A two-time champion, he knows not to expect anything at the most unpredictable tournament of the year.
Even so, it was a peculiar mix of guys who advanced Thursday into the third round at Dove Mountain.
There was 47-year-old Miguel Angel Jimenez and 17-year-old Matteo Manassero. PGA champion Martin Kaymer was still around, just barely, after going 20 holes to be the highest seed remaining at No. 2. Lee Westwood was not, the third straight year the No. 1 seed failed to get out of the second round.
“You get used to seeing guys winning,” Ogilvy said, referring to two-time finalist Paul Casey and Stewart Cink, who had reached at least the quarterfinals the last three years. Both of them were beaten.
“It just proves how uncomfortable this tournament is.”
This Accenture Match Play Championship suddenly has a flavor of youth and inexperience, which isn’t necessarily the same thing.
Ogilvy and Jimenez are the only players who have reached the quarterfinals. Four players in the round of 16 are making their Match Play debut — Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Manassero and Jason Day.
