Jason Day defeated Victor Dubuisson to win the WGC-Accenture Match Play final in spectacular fashion under the dying desert sun to claim his first World Golf Championship title.
The Australian looked to be in complete control during the early stages of the match and found himself two up with two left to play, before missing a 20-foot putt for the title on the 17th hole.
Frenchman Dubuisson dealt some vital blows by taking the match down the 18th with a wonderful birdie – before having to scramble for a par on the last as Day left his attempt short having run a lengthy birdie putt some 10 feet past the cup, much to his frustration.
When the players reached the first play-off hole the game exploded into life.
Dubuisson saw his approach shot fly long into the desert, leaving what appeared to be an impossible chip shot. However, the Frenchman managed a miraculous bump and run to five feet which was enough to secure a par, thus extending the match and replacing the pressure back onto Day’s shoulders.
Both players were then sent to the ninth where once again Dubuisson produced a poor approach to find desert. But yet again the 23-year-old pulled something out of his hat, this time producing one of the most remarkable up-and-downs in the history of televised golf –despite his ball being hidden under a branch – as a bewildered Day looked on in stunned disbelief.
Both players continued to toil but neither could manage a par on the 10; both missing mid-range putts while Dubuisson missed a 25-foot putt for the title on the 14th, their 22nd.
However, under the dying light of the desert, Day managed to produce an excellent birdie on the short 15th and when Dubuisson’s putt missed its mark, the Australian was at last able to celebrate his first World Golf Championship title in incredible fashion.
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