TEXAS: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy had been most of the winners in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play opening round on Wednesday (Mar 28), with both former international number ones taking the hazard to the beautiful song their video games beforehand of the imminent Masters. Woods fell at the back of fellow American  Aaron Wise through 10 holes but battled and returned to seal the win while the 22-year-old missed a short putt at the 17th, handing the four-times Masters champion a three-and-one victory.

The forty-three-year-old was much less than thrilled, along with his performance on the primary of five days motion at the sun-soaked day at the Austin Country Club. “We have been each suffering a little bit,” Woods said. “If this became a strokeplay event, we’d be far behind. You try and beat the guy in front of you, and I became able to develop.” McIlroy had an easier time as the Players Championship winner persevered his mild form to rout long-driving American Luke List 5 and 4.

The Northern Irishman, who won the event beneath a distinctive format in 2015, birdied his closing two holes to complete List off with authority. “I rode my good fortune a bit and hit some correct shots,” he said. “Luke could admit he didn’t play his high-quality stuff; however, I played well.” American Jordan Spieth, trying to play his way out of a slump, turned into two holes down with three closings but managed again-to-lower-back birdies to halve his suit with compatriot Billy Horschel.

Afterward, the 2015 Masters champion said it felt like a win. “To birdie, the last two holes are without a doubt huge for me right now as I’m looking to advantage confidence beneath strain and test a number of the stuff I’ve been operating on,” Spieth stated. “In this matchplay format, you are battling to win a golf event on a Saturday or Sunday.

So it becomes sincerely cool to hit some clutch shots and pull off the tie.” In other first-spherical movements, Kevin Na edged defending champion Bubba Watson, world primary Dustin Johnson beat Chez Reavie, and reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed fell to Andrew Putnam. In trade in layout this year, the 64 players have been divided into 16 agencies of 4.

Everyone plays each person else in their group over the primary three days. The player with an excellent record in each institution advances to the 16-man knockout phase over the weekend. Woods and McIlroy will face off in the round of sixteen on Saturday if they win their respective businesses.