World number one Dustin Johnson is the man to beat at the WGC Match Play knockout phase on the back of three dominant wins in group play.
Johnson has been the best golfer on the course and wiped the floor with Jimmy Walker 5&3 on Friday to set up a last 16 clash against Zach Johnson. Walker was no pushover, making a number of birdies, but the world number one matched him at every turn before turning on the style to seal his third win in convincing fashion.
Phil Mickelson has last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational winner Marc Leishman for company on Saturday, after the Australian saw off Lee Westwood and Pat Perez in a playoff.
Mickelson will be the favourite after ending group play with a 6&5 win over big-hitting countryman J.B. Holmes. Of the 42 holes Mickelson has played this week, he has led in 41 and will be looking to continue that trend on Saturday.
Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka will be involved on Saturday, after Rahm won his highly-anticipated all-Spanish clash against Sergio Garcia. Rahm was 1up after eight, but pulled away on the back nine to finish on the right side of a 6&4 rout.
Koepka beat Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed to set up a last 16 clash against Alex Noren.
There will be no South African involvement in the weekend after Louis Oosthuizen was knocked out by Ross Fisher and Charl Schwartzel went down to Paul Casey. Branden Grace lost his final group game 4&3 to Brandt Snedeker.
Round of 16 draw:
Kevin Na vs Bill Haas
Marc Leishman vs Phil Mickelson
Jon Rahm vs Charles Howell III
Soren Kjeldsen vs William McGirt
Hideto Tanihara vs Paul Casey
Ross Fisher vs Bubba Watson
Alex Noren vs Brooks Koepka
Dustin Johnson vs Zach Johnson
Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
