Korean stars up for the challenge at 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play

Golf

Published: 21 Mar. 2023, 10:38 Updated: 21 Mar. 2023, 17:45

Korean stars up for the challenge at 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play

Tom Kim, also known as Kim Joo-hyung, plays his second shot on the 18th hole during the completion of the weather-delayed second round of The Players Championship on The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 11 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. [GETTY IMAGES]

Asia’s best golfers will be ready to pull off some giant-killing feats when the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play begins at Austin Country Club on Wednesday, with Korea’s rising star Tom Kim, also known as Kim Joo-hyung, grouped with World No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler.

Twenty-year-old Kim, who has won twice on the PGA Tour, will make his debut in the $20 million tournament comprising of the leading 64 players in the world. Kim will also have European Ryder Cup team stalwart Alex Noren and Davis Riley for company in Group 1.

A change in tournament format to match play this week will bring back fond memories for the ultra-talented Kim, who sparkled at the Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow last September for the International Team where he contributed two points.

He partnered Lee Kyoung-hoon to secure a 2-and-1 victory over Scheffler and Sam Burns in the Foursomes session on Saturday morning and then partnered Kim Si-woo to snatch a thrilling 1-up victory over Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in the Four-ball where he holed the winning putt on the 18th green.

Kim Si-woo will make his sixth appearance in the Dell Technologies Match Play where he will be keen to advance beyond the group stage for the first time. The four-time PGA Tour winner was drawn into Group 8 alongside Viktor Hovland, Chris Kirk and Matt Kuchar, winner of the event in 2013. The 27-year-old Kim Si-woo was the leading performer for the International Team where he amassed three points, including a resounding 1-up win over Justin Thomas in the Singles

After finishing tied 19th in the Valspar Championship on Sunday, Lee will make his debut in the Dell Technologies Match Play in the company of Patrick Cantlay, Brian Harman and Nick Taylor in Group 4 while a fourth Korean, Im Sung-jae was drawn alongside Tommy Fleetwood, J.T. Poston and Maverick McNealy. Im will be looking to progress beyond the group stage for the first time in what is his third appearance in the tournament.

Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, is in Group 6 with Max Homa, Justin Suh and Kevin Kisner, who won the tournament in 2019 and was runner-up to Scheffler last year.

No Asian golfer has won the Dell Technologies Match Play since its inception in 1999. Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat qualified for the quarterfinals in 2018, as did countryman Thongchai Jaidee in 2010. Korean K.J. Choi was also a quarterfinalist in 2008. Japan’s Hideto Tanihara was a surprise semifinalist where he eventually finished fourth in 2017 while compatriot Toru Taniguchi holds the honor of being the best Asian finisher in the history of the tournament when he finished third in 2001.

No. 1 seed and defending champion Scottie Scheffler enters the Dell Technologies Match Play following his victory at The Players Championship. In two appearances at Austin Country Club, Scheffler has built a 10-2-2 record and advanced to the Championship Match both times, falling to Billy Horschel in 2021 and defeating Kevin Kisner last year. Scheffler’s win in 2022 marked his third victory of the season and elevated him to World No. 1 for the first time in his career. He will go against Tom Kim (17), Alex Noren (38) and Davis Riley (54).

Jon Rahm (2) returns to Austin Country Club having advanced out of group play in three of five previous appearances, including a trip to the Championship Match in his debut in 2017 (advanced to the Round of 16 in 2022 and the Quarterfinals in 2021). A three-time winner on Tour this season, Rahm will go against 2021 champion Billy Horschel (22), Keith Mitchell (39) and Rickie Fowler (49). Fowler is making his first appearance at the Dell Technologies Match Play since the event debuted at Austin Country Club in 2016.

Back in Austin for the first time since 2021, Rory McIlroy (3) is making his sixth appearance at Austin Country Club, where he finished fourth in 2016 but has only advanced out of group play in four appearances since (2019). He will go against Keegan Bradley (20), Denny McCarthy (48) and Scott Stallings (52).

University of Texas product Jordan Spieth (12) enters his seventh Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club following a T3 finish at the Valspar Championship. He won his group in 2016 and 2021 but has never advanced past the Round of 16. Spieth will go against Shane Lowry (21), Taylor Montgomery (47) and Mackenzie Hughes (50).

BY CHUAH CHOO CHIANG [kjdsports@joongang.co.kr]