Sharma draws Masters champ Garcia in opener

New Delhi: Shubhankar Sharma will step into the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play cauldron after being drawn in a mouth-watering opening match against reigning Masters tournament champion, Sergio Garcia on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old rising star, tied ninth at the World Golf Championships-Mexico after leading on days two and three earlier this month, will also face American Xander Schauffele, the 2017 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, and South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli in Group 7 of the preliminary stage at the Austin Country Club in Texas.

“I think it’s a great group. I’ve played with Xander before and I know Dylan well, it’ll be a great group with Sergio there as well. I’ll have to play my best and make as many birdies as possible,” said Sharma.

Spieth, Reed in same group
Texas native Jordan Spieth will find a familiar face waiting for him in sometime US teammate Patrick Reed.

Spieth and Reed have teamed to great effect in two Ryder Cups and last year’s Presidents Cup, but will be meeting as match play opponents for the first time.

Sixteen groups of four will play round-robin matches from Wednesday through Friday at Austin Country Club, where knockout competition begins with Saturday’s round of 16.

Australian Jason Day, the 2016 champion when Austin Country Club hosted the event for the first time, beat South African Louis Oosthuizen in the final that year.

They’ll meet in the group stage this time around. Reigning champion Dustin Johnson’s group includes Presidents Cup team mate Kevin Kisner. The top 16 ranked players are the top seeds in their respective groups, with the other spots decided by a random draw on Monday.

Spain’s Jon Rahm, runner-up to Johnson last year, heads a group that also includes Kiradech Aphibarnrat, winner of the World Super 6 Perth event, Chez Reavie and Keegan Bradley.

China’s Haotong Li, who is making his debut in Austin this week, was drawn into Group 4 alongside Spieth, Reed and Charl Schwartzel while Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama is in Group 5 with countryman Yusaku Miyazato, Cameron Smith and Patrick Cantlay. Li faces Reed in his first match on Wednesday.