AUSTIN, Texas — With Day 1 in the books at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, a number of matches take on extra significance tomorrow as players look to get in position for the Round of 16, or keep their match play hopes alive at Austin Country Club. Here’s a look at five matches to watch on Thursday. DUSTIN JOHNSON, USA (0-1-0) vs. ADAM HADWIN, Canada (0-0-1) The good news for defending champion Dustin Johnson is that the top-seed has advanced to the Round of 16 every year since the event added a group stage in 2015. The bad news is just eight players have managed to book their spot in the knockout stage after losing their opening match. Bottom line, Johnson is going to need a win on Thursday against Adam Hadwin and some results to go his way in the other matches to have a shot at advancing out of the group. The last time Johnson failed to advance was in 2015. Despite going 9-over in his first 11 holes, Johnson managed to keep things interesting, taking Wiesberger to the 17th hole before losing, 3 and 1. The loss snapped a string of seven consecutive wins dating back to his Round 1 victory last year over Webb Simpson. Adam Hadwin finds himself in a better position following his halved match against Kevin Kisner. Hadwin has Presidents Cup experience, but it would have to be categorized as an upset if he finds a way to end Johnson’s week with another defeat in Austin. RORY McILROY, Northern Ireland (0-1-0) vs. JHONATTAN VEGAS, Venezuela (0-0-1) In a similar spot as Dustin Johnson, McIlroy needs to get something out of his match against Jhonattan Vegas to make Friday interesting. Failing to do so would put him in danger of missing out on the Round of 16 for the second consecutive year after advancing to at least the semifinals in 2015 and 2016. “Obviously it’s out of my control now,” McIlroy said, after dropping his match against Peter Uihlein. “So I’ve just got to win my next two matches and hopefully the draw works in my favor.” Vegas will have some momentum on his side, earning a half-point against Brian Harman with a birdie on the 18th hole. He’s now picked up at least a half-point in his last three matches since making his debut last year. JON RAHM, Spain (0-0-1) vs. CHEZ REAVIE, USA (0-1-0) The battle between fellow Arizona State alums doesn’t have must-win implications for Rahm, who managed to secure a half-point against Keegan Bradley with a par on the last. Regardless, Rahm will need to get the best of his good friend to improve his chances of finding the Round of 16 for the second year in a row. Making his match play debut, Reavie has the opportunity to play the role of aggressor as the underdog in the match. You can bet bragging rights will be on the line. ALEX NOREN, Sweden (1-0-0) vs. THOMAS PIETERS, Belgium (0-1-0) Noren has quietly put together a strong match play resume since last year’s run to the quarterfinals and looks to be a strong candidate to make the 2018 European Ryder Cup team. He’ll have the opportunity to take on a former Ryder Cupper in Pieters in what should be an intriguing match. Pieters is trying to avoid missing out on the Round of 16 for the third straight year. He dropped his opening match on Wednesday, falling to another big hitter in Tony Finau. Interestingly, Pieters has never won his second match of the group stage, which doesn’t bode well for his chances against an in-form Noren. JORDAN SPIETH, USA (1-0-0) vs. HAOTONG LI, China (0-1-0) / PATRICK REED (1-0-0), USA vs. CHARL SCHWARTZEL, South Africa (0-1-0) It’s worth keeping an eye on Spieth and Reed tomorrow. A win or at least a half-point for both would set up must-see television on Friday for arguably the most anticipated match of the group stage. Spieth said the match will matter regardless of where the Ryder Cup duo stands, but you can bet both will be looking to bring their best stuff if a berth in the next round is on the line. They have to take care of business first to make that a possibility.
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