Marc Warren facing struggle to qualify

• Marc Warren faces uphill task to qualify for last 16
• Was 3UP against Brooks Koepka with three to play
• Needs to beat Henley and Holmes to beat Koepka for play-off

Marc Warren faces a monumental task if he is to qualify for the last 16 of the WGC-Cadillac Match Play after surrendering a 3UP lead with three to play against Brooks Koepka before losing after 20 holes.

The 34-year-old, who defeated group top seed J.B. Holmes on Wednesday, looked a shoe-in to make it to the weekend after just two of his three matches as he led Koepka 3UP after a birdie at the 15th.

But bogeys on 16and 17 and missed a short putt on the last from Warren saw the American seize the momentum and a fantastic tee shot on the 20th saw him birdie the hole to take the match.

“You’ve got to battle it out and luckily it worked” – Brooks Koepka

“You’ve got to never give up and fight to the end,” said Koepka, who knows Warren well from their time on the European Tour. “You’ve got to battle it out and luckily it worked.

“To be able to do that and come back from three down with three to play and get the W is special. Hopefully it bleeds over to tomorrow.”

In order for Warren to qualify, he needs to beat Russell Henley, who has lost both of his matches, and hope Holmes defeats Koepka, which would see a three-way play-off.

Stephen Gallacher is out of the tournament ahead of his final group match against Ben Martin after losing 3&2 to 2013 Match Play winner Matt Kuchar.

There are four final group match showdowns with players who have won both their opening fixtures, which includes three of the world’s top four.

Rory McIlroy is up against 2014 FedExCup winner Billy Horschel, Masters champion Jordan Spieth faces Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen will battle it out like they did in a play-off at the 2012 Masters, while Webb Simpson goes up against Gary Woodland.

Only John Senden and Rickie Fowler have already booked their places at the weekend, with the latter coming from behind with a series of superb putts to defeat Shane Lowry.

He said: “Looked like I had complete control of it, didn’t it? Been waiting a long time to make some putts, so it was nice to have those come in on the last few holes on the back nine.

“By no means am I going to take as a practice round. Still want to go out and play well and play a good fun match. A little bit of stress off the shoulders, that’s for sure.”

Marc Warren at the WGC Match Play :: Your thoughts

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