Thomas one win from No. 1 rank

Austin, Texas

Justin Thomas won two matches Saturday to reach the semifinals of the Dell Technologies Match Play.

One more and he gets to No. 1 in the world.

Thomas made quick work of Si Woo Kim in the morning, and then trailed for the first time all week against Kyle Stanley — just not for long. Thomas won three straight holes to start the back nine, made a six-foot par putt to stay in control and closed out Stanley, 2-and-1.

Dustin Johnson didn't win a match this week and will not get any world ranking points. That means Thomas only has to reach the championship match Sunday to become the seventh American to reach No. 1.

In his way is Bubba Watson, who is back to playing like a two-time Masters champion.

Watson made all the key putts in a battle of Georgia southpaws when he beat Brian Harman in the morning, and then he turned a tight match into a runaway against Kiradech Aphibarnrat by winning five of six holes on the back nine for a 5-and-3 victory.

Alex Noren extended his run at Austin Country Club by winning for the ninth time in his past 10 matches. His only loss was to Johnson a year ago in the quarterfinals, and he needed only 31 holes to beat Patrick Reed and Cameron Smith of Australia.

Kevin Kisner made a birdie on the 18th hole to beat Matt Kuchar, and then matched the shortest match of the week with an 8-and-6 victory over Ian Poulter, who was disappointed for more than just losing.

Poulter was told after he beat Louis Oosthuizen in the morning that reaching the quarterfinals was enough for him to be in the top 50 at the end of the week, which would get him into the Masters. Moments later, he received a text that he needed to win his match against Kisner.

PGA: Brice Garnett's six-stroke lead in the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship was reduced to two after he bogeyed three of the final six holes in the wind and rain for a 3-under 69 and a 16-under 200 total. Canadian Corey Conners was second after a 67, and Tyler McCumber also had a 67 to get to 12 under.

LPGA: Cristie Kerr blew a five-stroke lead in the Kia Classic to set up a final-round showdown at Aviara Golf Club. Kerr had a 75 to drop a stroke behind playing partner Lizette Salas, Eun-Hee Ji and In-Kyung Kim. Kerr was tied with Caroline Hedwall, Wei-Ling Hsu and Cindy LaCrosse.

Champions: Steve Stricker moved into position for his second straight tour victory, shooting a 3-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead in the Rapiscan Systems Classic.