Here are seven players who surprised us by failing to make it out of pool play at the WGC-Dell Match Play
AUSTIN, Texas — One concern tournament organizers — and sponsors — have had in the past with the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play is that many of the top names have been sent packing prior to the weekend.
And while the 2022 version of the event had as many top seeds emerge from the pack as any in recent memory, a number of top names were still eliminated early, including local favorite Jordan Spieth, who played collegiately at the nearby University of Texas.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest names who didn’t make it out of pool play and thus didn’t make it to the weekend.
No. 9 Bryson DeChambeau (0.5 points)
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts to his putt on the 14th green during the first day of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 23, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
So much for the ballyhooed return of DeChambeau, who had missed almost two months with a hand injury. After managing a half point against eventual pool winner Richard Bland, the 2020 U.S. Open champ fell flat in matches against Lee Westwood and Talor Gooch and quietly bowed out.
No. 4 Patrick Cantlay (1.5 points)
Patrick Cantlay of the United States plays his shot from the eighth tee during the third day of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 25, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Cantlay got out to a slow start against Keith Mitchell in the opening round and never got rolling, earning a half-point on Wednesday and then getting smoked 5 and 4 by Seamus Power on Thursday. He did manage to top Sungjae Im on Friday, but the World No. 4 was still sent packing.
No. 6 Justin Thomas (1 point)
Justin Thomas of the United States appears to be hiding on the second green during the first day of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 23, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Thomas opened the tournament with a birdie, but then went 22 holes before his next one — a recipe for disaster in match play. JT lost to Luke List on the opening day 3 and 2. He rebounded with a big 5-and-4 win over Marc Leishman on Thursday, but on Friday he ran into a buzzsaw in Kevin Kisner, who birdied four of the first five holes and then added an eagle on No. 6.
No. 7 Xander Schauffele (1 point)
Xander Schauffele tees off on No. 1 during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Schauffele looked in prime position after beating Takumi Kanaya in the opening round, but then was on the wrong end of a big putt Thursday — Lucas Herbert’s snatched a point from Xander with a birdie on No. 18. Schauffele lost again on Friday, dropping a 4-and-2 decision to Tony Finau.
No. 10 Louis Oosthuizen (1 point)
Louis Oosthuizen sports an interesting jacket while on No. 1 during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament. Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
This wasn’t Oosthuizen’s best showing — his only point came when Paul Casey conceded his matches due to injury. He lost to Alex Noren (1 up) and Corey Conners (2 and 1).
No. 11 Jordan Spieth (1 point)
Jordan Spieth makes a birdie putt on No. 15 during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament. (Photo: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports)
No. 3 Viktor Hovland (2 points)
Viktor Hovland tees off during the first round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
A late addition to this list, Hovland opened with wins over Cameron Tringale and Sepp Straka, but lost in a playoff to Will Zalatoris on Friday afternoon.
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