'Number 1' Scheffler Advances to Semifinals... "Looking for 2nd Consecutive Win"

Dell Technologies Match Play Quarterfinals
McIlroy, Burns, and Young Join the Semifinals

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA) sailed smoothly toward his second consecutive victory.

Scottie Scheffler is taking off his shirt on the green of the 7th hole during the quarterfinals of the Dell Technologies Match Play. [Austin, USA=Photo by AFP and Yonhap News]

On the 25th (local time), Scheffler defeated Jason Day (Australia) by 2 holes in the quarterfinals of the World Golf Championships (WGC) Series Dell Technologies Match Play (total prize money $20 million) held at Austin Country Club (par 71, 7,108 yards) in Austin, Texas, USA. In this tournament, 64 players are divided into 16 groups and compete in a group stage similar to the FIFA World Cup, after which the top player from each group advances to the round of 16 for a one-on-one match play knockout format.

Scheffler struggled early, trailing Day by 3 holes through the 7th hole (par 3). However, he sparked a serious comeback by winning the 8th and 9th holes, and finally evened the match with a birdie on the 12th hole (par 5). Scheffler then won the 13th and 14th holes and secured his spot in the semifinals by halving the 17th hole (par 3). Scheffler has been in great form this season, winning the WM Phoenix Open and The Players Championship, known as the "fifth major."

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) also edged out Xander Schauffele (USA) by 1 hole after a tight battle. The match was neck and neck through the 17th hole, but McIlroy secured his semifinal berth with a birdie on the final 18th hole (par 4). World No. 13 Sam Burns (USA) defeated Mackenzie Hughes (Canada) by 3 holes. World No. 15 Cameron Young narrowly beat Arnold Palmer Invitational champion Kurt Kitayama (both USA) by 1 hole.