Oosthuizen (2-1-0) had an eight-hole stretch that included one eagle and six birdies as he flipped the match on Fleetwood (1-1-1), and then had help from South Korea’s Byeong Hun An to win the group.

A 15-foot birdie putt at the sixth started the hot stretch that also included a 25-foot eagle putt at the 12th. Oosthuizen, a 2016 finalist, advances to the round of 16 for the third time in four years.

“I just found something early in the round and what I started off looking for I felt was missing in my putting stroke, and found it,” said Oosthuizen.

Elsewhere, Branden Grace beat American Chez Reavie 2&1 to complete an unbeaten run in his group. The 30-year-old upset the form book on day one when he beat world number one Dustin Johnson to get his tournament off to the perfect start.

Grace (3-0-0) held a slim lead the entire back nine to advance to the round of 16 for the first time since 2015. Birdies at 12 and 16 put Grace 2-up each time, as Reavie (0-2-1) parred his last nine holes.

SA’s Justin Harding scored a consolation win over American Luke List as the World Match Play rookie won 2-up. Harding was impressive in his debut in the event with two wins, and the single loss to group winner Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.

Harding (2-1-0) holed out for eagle from 105 yards at the ninth, and rode the momentum on the back nine with three more birdies to hold off List (1-2-0), who birdied two of his last three holes before conceding the 18th. 

- African News Agency