Lone Korean Na goes 1-1 in World Golf Championships

April 30, 2015
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

By Brian Han

World No. 21 Kevin Na is the only player of Korean descent in the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Match Play at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, Calif.

The tournament hosts the top 64 players in the world, which is why players like James Hahn (95) or Bae Sang-moon (81) won’t be teeing it up this week.

Na beat 24-year-old Frenchman Alexander Levy (54) in 17 holes finishing three up over his opponent Thursday.

He had lost the day before to Joost Luiten (44) in a back-and-forth match that ended in 19 holes even though Na bettered him by a stroke after shooting a one-under 70.

Such is the nature of match play though.

2015 Masters Champion had seven birdies on the first day and won after 16 holes, yet world No.1 Rory McIlroy opened with a birdie on the first hole and then had 13 consecutive pars to win in 14.

“Match play, you just need to beat the person that’s in front of you, and I did that today,” McIlroy told reporters after his first round win.

He then won the second round against Brandt Snedeker to guarantee a spot in the bracket.

Na must win his match tomorrow to move on to the weekend.