SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Rory McIlroy ran off three straight birdies to force overtime and outlast an old foe in the Match Play Championship, a performance that could be expected from the No. 1 player in the world.
Everything else at TPC Harding Park provided a wild day even by Match Play standards.
Jordan Spieth looked like he would lose the 15th hole until he chipped in. Lee Westwood looked like he would lose the 16th hole when he chipped in. The match still all square, it was Westwood who delivered the clutch moment with a 6-iron to 12 feet for a birdie that carried him to a 2-up victory and sent the Masters champion home.
Spieth was 15-under par for the 49 holes he played this week, as good as anyone in the field.
It just didn’t work at the Match Play Championship.