From pgatour.com
Asia’s quest for a first winner at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play saw mixed fortunes on Wednesday, with a defeat, a tie and one winner in first round matches.
Korea’s Sungjae Im made four birdies and survived late nerves on tournament debut to see off American Russell Henley 1-up in Group 16 at Austin Country Club.
Countryman Si Woo Kim came agonisingly close to a win in Group 5 in a topsy-turvy match with Europe’s Ryder Cup star, Tommy Fleetwood.
The pair settled for a tie when the Englishman holed a 10-foot birdie on the last.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, Asia’s third representative at the $10.5 million event, lost his opening Group 10 match 4&3 to Carlos Ortiz.
The rising Mexican star seized the initiative with an opening birdie and never looked back.
The 22-year-old Im entered the week full of hope and began his match on a strong note with a 20-foot birdie on the first hole to lead 1-up.
He converted a 14-footer on seven to extend his advantage and a bogey by Henley on nine saw the Asia star lead 3-up at the turn.
Hanging on
Henley fought back, winning the next two holes but Im hung on after the American missed a 13-foot birdie opportunity at the last green to force a tie.
“Although I led 3-up at first, it was a very close game on the back nine,” said Im, who next faces International teammate Marc Leishman on Thursday.
“I was a little bit nervous but I really enjoyed it and it was fun
“Most of all, I won my first game. This is a good start for the group stage.
“I have two more matches to play, so I will have to keep my focus and hope to have opportunities to win those matches and advance.”
Japan’s Hideto Tanihara came closest to challenging for the title when he made it all the way into the semi-finals in 2017.
He lost to eventual winner Dustin Johnson, who is the top seed here this week.
Key wins
In selected opening round results, Johnson beat Adam Long 2-up, second seed Justin Thomas went down 2&3 to Matt Kuchar, and Jon Rahm beat Sebastian Munoz 1-up.
Sergio Garcia beat Lee Westwood 3&2 and Trrek Haton tied with fellow-Englishman Matt Wallace in two all-Europe match-ups.
Rory McIlroy fell to another Englishman, beaten handily 6&5 by Ian Poulter while Jordan Speith got past Matt Fitzpatrick 3&1. One of McIlroy’s mishits was a hooked drive into a off-course swimming pool.
Im is enjoying his first visit to Austin Country Club which he described as a perfect course for his aggressive style of play.
He is also using his Presidents Cup experience to spur his chase for a first World Golf Championships title. Only Matsuyama has won two WGC titles for Asia in the past.
“I think this course fits match play. There are some short holes and some holes that we need to play it safe.
It’s a combination of those various type of holes and it’s fun to play,” he said.
“I played well in the Presidents Cup and secured three wins. Every hole in match play is very important, so that’s the main difference between match play and stroke play.
Easy pace
“Compared to stroke play, I don’t need to feel like I’m being chased and rush my game. However, I still need to beat my opponent and because of that, I have some tension in my game.
“But I really like everything about match play.”
Kim, who won his third PGA Tour title earlier this year and finished top 10 at the Players Championship two weeks ago, next plays fifth-ranked Bryson DeChambeau on Thursday.
The American power hitter will be keen to bounce back from a shock opening loss to debutant Antoine Rozner.
Matsuyama plays left-hander Brian Harman next in a match he needs to also win to keep alive his hopes of progressing beyond the group stages.
Also read: Inspired Im rides birdie spree into Players’ contention
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