English player Ian Poulter birdied for the final two holes and claimed victory over Kevin Kisner for the opening day of the WGC Match Play being held in Austin, Texas. The 43-year-old world number 32 lost the two holes he played previously to an eagle and a birdie, but still managed to beat the American two up.
There were also comfortable victories for Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, Tiger Woods, Tyrrell Hatton, and Rory Mcllroy. The 64 players have since been divided into 16 groups of four, each with a round robin format that will stay in place for the first three days. The 16 group winners will then advance to the knockout stage where the quarterfinals will also take place, with the semi finals, finals, and third place match taking place a day before.
Mcllroy did not lose a single hole against opponent Luke List, and sealed a 5&4 victory thanks to his fourth birdie of the day. Casey, who recently defended his Valspar Championship title successfully and advanced to 11th in the global rankings, ended the day one down after five holes against Mexican Abraham Ancer before moving on a 5&3 win. Tiger Woods, a three-time Match Play victor, managed to recover from one down against Aaron Wise and recorded a 3&1 win.
Fleetwood was two down against Korean Byeong Hun An but still won 3&2, while Matt Wallace saw former PGA champion Keegan Bradley leave thanks to a one up victory.
| # | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Betway |  | 5/5 | Up to $60 NZD | Bet now Review |
| 2 |  | Picklebet | | 4.9/5 | Login to see promotions | Bet now Review |
| 3 |  | Palmerbet | | 4.8/5 | 100% Match | Bet now Review |
More About Gary Hicks
When it comes to knowing what’s going on, on the track, field or any other sporting arena, Gary Hicks is your man. With an almost unrivalled passion for journalism, sports and betting Gary decided to combine his love of all 3 and share his expertise with the world.
In the last few years Gary has risen through the ranks and prides himself on always keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s hot and happening in the sports betting world. Gary is the resident news expert at OnlineBettingNZ.co.nz and his articles make for invaluable fodder for any avid punter.
You May Also Like:
Top 4 Wealthiest Golf Players of All Time
Enter the world of golf’s elite as we delve into the staggering wealth amassed by professional players. Discover the allure of wealth rankings in golf and how they intersect with ….
Tiger Woods: A Betting Perspective on His Future in Golf
Tiger Woods’ recent performance at the 2024 Masters, where he finished last, has sparked discussions about his future in golf. With the upcoming US Open and PGA Championship on the ….
Tiger Woods Inducted Into Golf Hall Of Fame
Golfing great Tiger Woods has been inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame. Woods cut an emotional picture as he accepted the accolade in the presence of his family and ….
Rory Mcllroy Says Saudi Should Be An Option
Golfer Rory Mcllroy says whoever wishes to compete in February’s Saudi International should be at liberty to do so. He said the PGA and European tours should not have the ….
Lydia Ko Still An Olympic Force
Kiwi and former world No. 1 golfer Lydia Ko remains in the running for a medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games – despite two late bogeys placed during the second ….