Byrd Drops Third Round Match to Stenson

Feb. 22, 2008

Clemson, SC–Former Clemson All-American Jonathan Byrd lost to fourth seeded Henrik Stenson 1-up in the third round of the Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona. Byrd had reached the final 16 of the event as the 16th seeded player in the Ben Hogan bracket by defeating Ernie Els and Andres Romero in upsets in the first two rounds. He had both matches clinched by the 15th hole.

Stenson won the first hole on Friday with a birdie four and Byrd faced an up hill battle the entire match. Still, Byrd took Stenson, the defending champion in the event, to the final hole. Three times Byrd tied the match with birdies, but he never took the lead. He tied the match on the fifth, ninth and 15th holes. Stenson took the lead with a birdie on the 17th hole.

Byrd shot six under par for the 18 holes and still lost. Stenson was seven under for his 18 holes and moves on to the fourth round to face Woody Austin, who defeated Boo Weekley in the third round.