Robert MacIntyre, 44th in the world rankings but relatively unknown on the US Tour, got away with a remarkable eagle on 18 in Austin.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre has moved up to 16th place in the WGC Matchplay. He reached the final round, beating world number one Dustin Johnson to beat his group on a dramatic day in Texas.
Englishman Tommy Fleetwood survived an anxious situation by beating US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and also qualified.
Sergio Garcia (Spain) defeated Lee Westwood (England) by one-under in a sudden-death play-off.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy is out after a draw with Cameron Smith.
After beating McIlroy and Australian Smith earlier in the week, Englishman Ian Poulter won the group with a record of 100 percent after another victory over American Lanto Griffin.
In the match play tournament at the Austin Country Club, 64 players are divided into 16 groups of 4, and only the group winners advance to the next round.
One of the best and happiest pictures of my life.
Few would have been confident that the 24-year-old MacIntyre would take his game to the next level after being included in a squad that included Johnson, but the Scot has made remarkable progress.
McIntyre needed to win his final round match against Adam Long and struck at 18. Hole less than a yard and eagle putt to secure first place.
McIntyre, seeded number 41 in the 64-team tournament, confirmed his hopes of qualifying on Friday with a brilliant performance against Johnson on Thursday – following a narrow victory.
Yet it looked like he would give up when he was three behind against Long after nine holes.
After the turnover, McIntyre fought back and was one of those who earned another key with his brilliant drive on the 370-yard 18th.
That was enough to take first place after Johnson lost to American Kevin Na.
I’m behind and I need to win a hole. I played last night and had the same attitude to try to win a hole, said McIntyre, who will take on 16-year French veteran Victor Perez.
I probably hit one of the best and most successful golf shots I’ve ever hit in my life.
This is a great strength for my self-confidence and a great strength to go on.
I wanted us both to pass – Garcia beats Westwood by a hole in.
Fleetwood’s English sealed their fate after winning and half of the first game, so they are certain to progress if they beat DeChambeau.
After playing threes and fives, Fleetwood lost his 14 to the American and then his 15 to reduce his lead to one stroke.
Fleetwood would face Frenchman Antoine Rosner in the play-offs if he held the draw, but after a lost drive at the latter he came back with an unlikely game to secure a hard-fought victory.
Experienced European duo Garcia and Westwood had to resort to a play-off to determine the winner of their hotly contested group – and it took an extraordinary moment to separate them.
Spain made up for it on the fourth extra hole with a three on the par three from 161 yards.
I hit the big nine and knew it was right on the line, but I couldn’t see anything through the glare. When we heard people applauding, he said it was very good.
He added that if he outdid his good friend Westwood: It’s hard because you want us both to go through this.
Garcia meets Westwood in the playoffs after losing to England’s Matt Wallace .
