Thongchai Jaidee was battling to keep his WGC – Cadillac Match Play chances alive as he moved ahead against Jim Furyk in the second lot of round-robin matches at TPC Harding Park.
The Thai star lost to Martin Kaymer on the opening day, but with the new format of 16 groups of four players still had a chance to top Group 5.
Going three up on Furyk through 13 holes gave him a chance of doing that, especially with Germany’s Kaymer trailing George Coetzee by two through 12 holes.
Scotland’s Marc Warren was edging closer to a place in the last 16 as he turned three up on Brooks Koepka, having already beaten J B Holmes on the opening day.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry was also on course to make it two wins from two as he turned one up on Rickie Fowler, with Graeme McDowell – Lowry’s victim on day one – three up through eight holes on Harris English.
Louis Oosthuizen and Bubba Watson were looking like setting up a straight knock-out encounter in Group 4, with the pair one up on Keegan Bradley and Miguel Angel Jiménez, both of whom had been beaten on the opening day.
Francesco Molinari followed his comprehensive victory over Adam Scott up by going one up on Chris Kirk, with Scott and Paul Casey level through six holes.
Dutchman Joost Luiten and World Number One Rory McIlroy also took early leads as they seek to maintain their 100 per cent records.
