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 The two played together as U.S. team mates at the 2007 Evian
Junior Masters but went head to head in the 2012 NCAA Championship
final, where Spieth got the better of Thomas to help his Texas
Longorns beat Alabama to the title.
Spieth, who went on to become world number one and won two majors
last year, plays Thomas on Friday and will also face Frenchman
Victor Dubuisson and Jamie Donaldson of Wales.
The event at Austin Country Club in Texas features 16 four-player
groups, with the winners advancing to knockout stages. The new match
play format was adopted last year, with Rory Mcilroy taking the
title.
 World number three McIlroy, still looking for his first win of the
season, has landed what seems an easier group with Kevin Na, Smylie
Kaufman and Thorbjorn Olesen, but the Northern Irishman said he
would not take anyone lightly.
“A big key to match play is you can’t underestimate anyone,” McIlroy
told the Golf Channel. “You have to fully expect for them to play
their best golf. You have to go out and make as many birdies as you
can.”
World number two Jason Day, a winner at Bay Hill on Sunday, has been
drawn in a tough group with Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey and
Thongchai Jaidee.
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Adam Scott, who has already won twice this year, is grouped with
Bill Haas, Chris Wood and Thomas Pieters, while U.S. Ryder Cup duo
Dustin Johnson and Jimmy Walker have been drawn together.
European Ryder Cup standouts Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood will
fight to escape Group 13, while Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed are
in Group 9 and long-hitters Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes doing
battle in Group 4.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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