This week sees the only match play tournament on the PGA Tour, where the top 64 players in the world rankings are invited to tee up for the $2.1-million winner’s prize.
It’s an event which is a lottery in finding the winner, with the last three editions proving that.
Last year’s finalists were the No 30 and 32 seeds, the time before that seeds 48 and 23 squared off in the final and before that it was No 35 and 32. Based on that, you can place the 64 numbers on a dartboard and throw randomly at it and you have every chance of pinning a winner.
Personally, I took the more “scientific” approach. I filled in the fantasy bracket sheet on the PGA Tour website and ended up with Collin Morikawa beating Patrick Cantlay in the final, with Viktor Hovland and Bryson DeChambeau the losing semi-finalists. Obviously there was bias, but I did use a bit of “match play” pedigree in it.
Both Hovland (2018) and DeChambeau (2015) are former winners of the US Amateur Match Play, while Cantlay (2011) is a runner-up in that blue riband event for amateurs. But Morikawa was the rookie who sunk the putt last year at Whistling Straits which gave the US their unassailable lead over Europe. So, there’s the “romantic” aspect to it. Then again, last year he finished bottom of his four-man group!
One of the enduring beauties of the match play format is that it plays to the risk and reward, and the course hosting the event, Austin Country Club, lends itself to such a bold way of approaching things. It makes for compulsive television viewing, with situations constantly changing.
ALSO READ: Rahm faces Reed in WGC Match Play group
Those who feel that putting is where things will be won and lost this week should have a look at the latest putting rankings on the PGA Tour: Tyrrell Hatton tops that chart and is probably favourite to win his group that includes Christiaan Bezuidenhout. After that, he might come up against Cantlay in the last 32. Reigning champion Billy Horshel ranks No 9 in the putting category for the season and last year’s runner-up Scottie Scheffler is 19th. Which might explain their 2021 success. Therefore, based on their putting stats, you might want to give Lucas Herbert (seeded 39) and Kevin Kisner (No 29) a closer look.
All in all, it’s a great week where the winner played three opponents from Wednesday to Friday, then 36 holes on each of Saturday and Sunday in straight knockouts.
Last year Horschel beat Scheffler 2&1 in the final, having played 118 holes to earn the title. This means a player needs to be fit as well, which might count against DeChambeau, who hasn’t teed-up in anger for six weeks since withdrawing from the Saudi International on 6 February.
– Lemke is the editor of Compleat Golfer magazine
