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Friday's best matches and scenarios
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Friday's best matches and scenarios

64 matches down, 48 to go. It's day three and the final group stage matches to decide which players will advance to the last 16. As things stand, 22 players have been mathematically eliminated while 42 still have a chance to make it to Saturday's knockout phase.

Austin CC

Here's a look at the various scenarios in play today as well as the best seven matches to look out for.

Jordan Spieth (2-0) vs Justin Thomas (0-2)

Jordan Spieth

Close friends Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas face each other in their final match in Group 1. Spieth, who has beaten Victor Dubuisson and Jamie Donaldson already, will advance to the last 16 with a win or a tie whilst Thomas has already been eliminated. Ifthis photois anything to go by, they will likely enjoy each other's company on the way round Austin Country Club today.

Victor Dubuisson (1-1) vs Jamie Donaldson (1-1)

VD and JD

Ryder Cup team-mates Dubuisson and Donaldson both need a win to have any chance of making the knockout stage. If Spieth loses to Thomas, then the winner of this match will play the World Number One in a play-off to decide the winner of Group 1.

Thongchai Jaidee (1-1) vs Graeme McDowell (0-1-1)

Jaidee Gmac

In a replay of the 2013 Volvo World Match Play final, Jaidee and Gmac will go head to head on Friday. While Graeme McDowell is playing for pride, having failed to win either of his opening two matches, Jaidee must win to have a chance of advancing. A win and a Jason Day loss would result in a play-off.

Rory McIlroy (2-0) vs Kevin Na (2-0)

Rory McIlroy

In one of three matches between two players with perfect records, McIlroy and Na will battle for the number one spot in Group 3. McIlroy has won nine straight matches in the event dating back to his win last year while Na has never made it to the last 16 in three previous appearances.

Justin Rose (1-0-1) vs Matt Kuchar (1-0-1)

Rose Kuchar

The scenarios in Group 7 are simple. Whoever wins this match advances to the last 16. If Rose and Kuchar tie, they will continue to a play-off to decide who wins the group. Rose and Kuchar both have three Ryder Cup appearances each and faced each other in fourball play in 2012 when Kuchar and Dustin Johnson beat Rose and Kaymer 3&2.

Branden Grace (1-1-0) vs Russell Knox (1-0-1)

Russell Knox

Russell Knox already has a WGC title in his trophy case and he controls his destiny in Group 11. The WGC-HSBC Champions winner will reach the last 16 in his debut appearance if he can defeat World Number 12 Grace. A tie for Knox could see him face Chris Kirk in a deciding play-off, while a tie for Grace would see him eliminated.

Louis Oosthuizen (2-0) vs Andy Sullivan (2-0)

Andy Sullivan

Similar to Rose and Kuchar, the winner of this match will win Group 16. Sullivan has impressed in his first appearance at this event, while Oosthuizen is continuing the form that saw him win the ISPS HANDA Perth International last month. There may not be a more laid back match-up on Friday but rest assured both these smiling assassins will be keen to advance.

Other group scenarios:

Bubba Watson controls things inGroup 4. The World Number Four has a win and tie so far and will reach the knockout stages if he beats JB Holmes today.

There’s a possibility of a four-way deciding play-off inGroup 5. Should Scott Piercy and Jason Dufner tie and Rickie Fowler beats Byeong-Hun An, all four players would finish on 1.5 points. That being said, An can win the group if he defeats Fowler.

Adam Scott and Bill Haas will play to decideGroup 6. Haas requires a tie or a win while Scott must win to advance.

All four players inGroup 8have one point after two matches. If we see two winners in this group today, there will be two-man play-off to decide the group winner. Dustin Johnson takes on Jimmy Walker while Kiradech Aphibarnrat faces Robert Streb.

Group 9will be won by either Patrick Reed or Phil Mickelson. They face off in the deciding match, knowing that a tie will result in extra holes.

Brooks Koepka remains perfect inGroup 10and can only be eliminated in a play-off if he loses and Billy Horschel beats Jaco Van Zyl.

Rafa Cabrera-Bello’s monster putt on Thursday puts him in control ofGroup 12. A win would see the Spaniard move through to the last 16, but a loss would see him face the winner of Matsuyama and Kisner, should one of them win their match, in a play-off.

Marc Leishman is the only man eliminated inGroup 13. Ryan Moore will win the group if he beats Lee Westwood, while Westwood himself and Sergio Garcia both have a shot at topping the group only if they win their matches.

The only man who can stop Zach Johnson winningGroup 14is Martin Kaymer. Despite losing 8&6 to the defending Open champion yesterday, Kaymer would force a play-off if he were to beat Marcus Fraser and Johnson lose to Lowry.

Finally, Charl Schwartzel and Brandt Snedeker will face off for the qualifying spot inGroup 15. Both Danny Lee and Charley Hoffman have been eliminated.

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