Then There Were 8: Wacky WGC Match Play Friday Roundup

Many love the opening day of the WGC Accenture Match Play but Friday's round of 16 confirmed that it's generally one of the best days on the calendar, as the eight matches largely lived up to billing and then some in the case of a few. Doug Ferguson with the roundup.

Steve DiMeglio on the bizarre situation of Graeme McDowell, who has never led during any of his three matches and finds himself in Saturday's final eight.

In the other half of the bracket, McDowell kept up his Houdini ways in beating Hunter Mahan on the third extra playoff hole. McDowell, who clinched the winning point for European in the 2010 Ryder Cup by beating Mahan in the last singles match, won the last two holes to force a playoff, then knocked in a 20-footer to win the match on the third playoff hole.

In his three matches, McDowell has never led – until the final hole was finished. He won the last four holes to beat Gary Woodland in a playoff, and then won three of the last four holes to beat Hideki Matsuyama, 1 up.

McDowell will face Victor Dubuisson, who upset Bubba Watson, 1 up. In the other quarterfinal match, Ernie Els faces Jordan Spieth. Els defeated Jason Dufner, 1 up, while Spieth held off defending champion Matt Kuchar, 2 and 1.

Jim McCabe with lots of great backstory info on Victor Dubuisson, who hits the big stage by making it to Saturday's final eight in the math play.

Jamie Kennedy Tweeted a super list of scores and it's pretty clear every one of the final eight is playing amazingly well, and then there's Ernie Els.

As for Jordan Spieth, I watched him last week at Riviera and am not surprised that he's winning matches. I explain a couple of the little things he does that make him such a tough match play opponent.

In light of Sergio's conceded putt, John Strege looks back at some of the more extreme concessions in match play history.

Rickie, apparently having never heard the "jumping" part of cholla:



The day 3 highlights: