The Latest: Casey, Howell battle to a draw at Match Play

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the Dell Technologies Match Play (all times local:

5:45 p.m.

Being No. 1 at the Match Play won't guarantee Dustin Johnson an easy trip into the weekend elimination rounds. Far from it.

Johnson lost to No. 40 Branden Grace in a tight match that wasn't decided until Johnson pulled a long birdie from the fringe on No. 18 wide left. The loss leaves Johnson 1-1 after two rounds and needing to beat No. 24 Hideki Matsuyama on Friday to have a chance to advance.

Johnson is the top seed for the third consecutive year. He won the tournament in 2017 and lost all three of his matches in 2018.

Grace snatched the lead with a birdie on 17. Grace hasn't advanced beyond the round-robin matches the last two years but is 2-0 with a chance to win the group against No. 55 Chez Reavie on Friday.