Lowry's hopes extinguished at WGC Match Play after second defeat

Shane Lowry can't quality for the last-16 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play after a disappointing 4&3 defeat to Canadian Mackenzie Hughes at Austin Country Club.

Lowry, who bogeyed two of the first four holes against Hughes and found himself five down after seven, briefly threatened to make a comeback as he won the 10th with a par and then eagled the par-five 12th.

However, he promptly found water off the tee on the next and a sixth match play loss of the year – following defeats in all four matches in January's Hero Cup – was confirmed when Hughes birdied the 15th.

Lowry faces Jordan Spieth on Friday but the destiny of group 12 is in the hands of Taylor Montgomery, who beat Spieth 2&1 and takes on Hughes in the final round of group matches.

World number two Jon Rahm kept his hopes of winning the tournament alive as beat Keith Mitchell 4&3.

Rahm, who has won three strokeplay events on the PGA Tour this season, suffered a surprise defeat to Rickie Fowler in group two on Wednesday.

"I think the biggest difference was on the greens," Rahm told Golf Channel.

"I started off good yesterday but on 11, 12 and 14 had three putts and that’s why I lost those holes. That’s why I went from having a two-hole lead to going down quickly.

"Today I played pretty similar, not many mistakes tee to green and I was able to capitalise on a couple of putts."

Rahm will face former BMW PGA Championship winner Billy Horschel in the final round of group matches on Friday and said: "Not many pairings are going to have more electricity on the course than me and Billy combined so it should be a good one.

"I’m going to have to get the win tomorrow."

After his match, Rahm was asked whether he agreed with Rory McIlroy speaking out in favour of the proposals