Jordan Spieth maintains strong start at the WGC-Dell Match Play
Thursday 24 March 2016 22:38, UK
Jordan Spieth moved into pole position to progress to the knock-out stages of the WGC-Dell Match Play with a convincing victory over Victor Dubuisson.
Spieth sits top of group one after a 5&4 win over the Ryder Cup star, on a day where Bubba Watson and Zach Johnson continued their unbeaten starts.
The world No 1 followed his opening day win over Jamie Donaldson by easing to victory over the Frenchman, finishing in style with a birdie at the 14th.
Spieth raced in to a three-hole lead inside the opening four holes, but briefly saw his advantage cut to two when he found he bogeyed the 11th after finding the water.
A par at the next was enough to regain Spieth's three-hole cushion, before Dubuisson ended up in the hazard on 13 and the American kicked-in for the gain at the next to leave an unassailable advantage.
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Victory means he goes in to his final round-robin match against long-time friend Justin Thomas guaranteed at least a play-off spot, knowing a third win would assure him a spot in the last-16.
"I always play two down to start because you want to play the rest of them like you need to win your shots back," Spieth told Sky Sports. "When we get 2up like we did at the third it resets so we're back two down again.
"That's the way I've always played Match Play. We've had success with it in the junior days and now hoping for a little more success as a professional.
"It's nice to know an opponent (Justin Thomas) where you know what's coming. It'll probably be different being one-on-one but we've had round this year together and know each other's games."
Spieth's Ryder Cup team-mate Jimmy Walker eased past compatriot Robert Streb 4&3, while Dustin Johnson recovered from an opening-day defeat to beat Kiradech Aphibarnrat 5&4 and make it a four-way tie in group eight.
Zach Johnson's 8&6 win over Martin Kaymer was the biggest of the day, while Watson's 2up victory over Emiliano Grillo moves him in to top spot in group four.
I think I've played really nicely," Watson told Sky Sports. "Guessing of the wind made it tough, but I didn't make too many mistakes today and hit some quality shots.
"All in all, a good two days which I'm pretty happy with."
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