WGC Accenture Matchplay Round ONE This week is a golf matchup handicapper's dream. A bracket of 64 featuring the Top players in the world in a matchplay head to head scoring style instead of regular stroke play.
The WGC Accenture Matchplay Championship is held again this year at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain Course In Marana AZ. This par 72 layout measures 7,833 yards. It does not play that long due to the 3,000 feet of elevation, but still favors strong drivers of the golf ball. Geoff Ogilvy is the defending Champion and he can drive it long and straight with the best of them.
I have just returned from Marana, AZ and it is a must see event for me with the best from around the world sans Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. I've walked the course last year, and concentrated on who is hitting it well and who is not.
The greens at Dove Mountain have taken a verbal lashing from many Tour players, and designer Jack Nicklaus flattened out several of the huge undulating greens. Putting is still a key and the great equalizer to winning this event. Guys like Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Robert Allenby rarely win in this format because they do not make enough par saving putts.
There are 15 first timers this year and we'll try and bet against some of them. But, let me say first and foremost, matchplay is a different game altogether from the normal 72 hole tournament. There will be huge upsets this week, and it is even tougher to predict these upsets.
Notes: Rory McIlroy has stretched ligaments in his back and you would not notice that by the way he is hitting the ball so purely. Matt Kuchar WD last week for medical reasons (which nobody seems to know why) and did not miss a putt on the putting green. Most of these wagers below are from the results of my scouting on Monday and Tuesday.
[B]Ross Fisher -180 [/B]vs. Thongchai Jaidee
Fisher won the Volvo World Matchplay Championship in November. He was hitting all his targets and his putting looks solid. Jaidee was left, right and more left off the tee.
[B]Padraig Harrington -180 [/B] vs. Jeev Milka Singh
Yes, we lost betting against Harrington last week. He looked off going into Pebble with poor form. Well, Tuesday I was very impressed he consistently knocked down the pins and hit it very straight. Jeev has been a go against in this Tournament, and he has a swing that only a mother could love.
[B]Chad Campbell +145 [/B]vs Martin Kaymer
Kaymer was very wild in practice. Campbell has made it to the Quarter Finals 4x in this event.
[B]Miguel Angel Jimenez -105 [/B]vs Oliver Wilson
Wilson was perhaps the worst player on the range and on the course that I saw. His swing coach had to make drastic changes just to get the ball in play. He is a great putter, but that may not be enough here. Jimenez won earlier this year on the Euro Tour and seems to have good command of all of his shots.
[B]Dustin Johnson -120 [/B]vs. Camillo Villegas
Camillo has taken time off recently and it shows. He could not hit a target at all. His driver was so wild, I doubt he uses it, he'll be forced to go with the 3-wood. DJ won last week and if he does not bounce or let down, he can win this Matchplay Tournament.
[B]Kenny Perry -131 [/B]vs Brian Gay
Gay is too short off the tee to challenge anyone here. He'll have to sink everything inside 10 feet to have a chance. This is a huge jump up in class for Gay a first timer in this event. KP still drives it well, in fact I stood 5 feet from him and he hit the tee ball very well with a new shaft from Taylor Made.
Check back throughout the week for more Round by Round Bracket/Matchup wagers this week.
