Golf Barometer: Match Play Picks

Golf Barometer: Match Play Picks

This article is part of our Golf Barometer series.

They'll look silly in a moment, but time to make 63 predictions for the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. It's a shame the tour players don't enjoy this format as much as the fans and media seem to.

Gary Player Bracket

Justin Rose over Scott Piercy - Can't be super confident here, as Rose is coming off injuries.

Ernie Els over Stephen Gallacher - Els rarely has an early exit here, can be trusted to move on.

Scott Stallings over Jason Dufner - Something isn't right with The Duff thus far in the new season.

Matteo Manassero over Luke Donald - Donald has turned into the Where's Waldo of professional golf; I doubt he has a deep run.

Matt Kuchar over Bernd Wiesberger - If you putted like Kuchar, you'd be unflappable, too. Perfect spot.

Ryan Moore over Joost Luiten - A vote to match-play pedigree.

Jorden Spieth over Pablo Larrazabal - Too hot to pick against.

Thomas Bjorn over Francesco Molinari - Knows how to get best of his modest ability, won't beat himself.

Round 2 Winners:
Els, Stallings, Kuchar, Spieth

Bracket Final:
Kuchar over Els

Sam Snead Bracket

Richard Sterne over Zach Johnson - ZJ hasn't been effective in recent trips here.

Hunter Mahan over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano - Mahan might turn into US's version of Ian Poulter.

Gary Woodland over Graeme McDowell - Look for a full 18 holes here, perhaps extras.

Martin Kaymer over Hideki Matsuyama - Flip your coin, pick your enigma.

Dustin Johnson over Peter Hanson

They'll look silly in a moment, but time to make 63 predictions for the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. It's a shame the tour players don't enjoy this format as much as the fans and media seem to.

Gary Player Bracket

Justin Rose over Scott Piercy - Can't be super confident here, as Rose is coming off injuries.

Ernie Els over Stephen Gallacher - Els rarely has an early exit here, can be trusted to move on.

Scott Stallings over Jason Dufner - Something isn't right with The Duff thus far in the new season.

Matteo Manassero over Luke Donald - Donald has turned into the Where's Waldo of professional golf; I doubt he has a deep run.

Matt Kuchar over Bernd Wiesberger - If you putted like Kuchar, you'd be unflappable, too. Perfect spot.

Ryan Moore over Joost Luiten - A vote to match-play pedigree.

Jorden Spieth over Pablo Larrazabal - Too hot to pick against.

Thomas Bjorn over Francesco Molinari - Knows how to get best of his modest ability, won't beat himself.

Round 2 Winners:
Els, Stallings, Kuchar, Spieth

Bracket Final:
Kuchar over Els

Sam Snead Bracket

Richard Sterne over Zach Johnson - ZJ hasn't been effective in recent trips here.

Hunter Mahan over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano - Mahan might turn into US's version of Ian Poulter.

Gary Woodland over Graeme McDowell - Look for a full 18 holes here, perhaps extras.

Martin Kaymer over Hideki Matsuyama - Flip your coin, pick your enigma.

Dustin Johnson over Peter Hanson - Tricky call with Johnson; hot in stroke play, mediocre in this event.

Kevin Streelman over Victor Dubuisson - Two Accenture debuts, hard to make a confident pick.

Bubba Watson over Mikko Ilonen - But here's where the story ends.

Keegan Bradley over Jonas Blixt - It should be over early.

Round 2 Winners:
Mahan, Woodland, D Johnson, Bradley

Bracket Final:
Mahan over Bradley

Bobby Jones Bracket

Henrik Stenson over Kiradech Aphibarnrat - Stenson not in form, but this isn't the spot to call upset.

Louis Oosthuizen over Nick Watney - What happened to the superstar-in-training Watney used to be?

David Lynn over Brandt Snedeker - Leaky ball striking and erratic putting have Snedeker in a four-event funk.

Webb Simpson over Thongchai Jaidee - Simpson looks primed for a run at Ryder Cup spot.

Jason Day over Thorbjorn Olesen - All Day (one of the slowest players around) is on the short list of favorites.

Jamie Donaldson over Billy Horschel - Pick the world-experienced player over the Accenture rookie.

George Coetzee over Steve Stricker - Your heart goes out to Stricker, who's dealing with some family issues.

Patrick Reed over Graham DeLaet - Those young players, so darn fearless.

Round 2 Winners:
Oosthuizen, Simpson, Day, Reed

Bracket Final:
Day over Simpson

Ben Hogan Bracket

This looks like the loaded bracket, for what it's worth. Look at these names.

Rory McIlroy over Boo Weekley - Boo is just wacky enough to think he can win, though.

Harris English over Lee Westwood - Westwood out of form, and no one trusts his putter.

Kevin Stadler over Charl Schwartzel - Baby Walrus finally ready for breakout campaign.

Chris Kirk over Jim Furyk - Yes, it's possible to want it too badly, to your detriment.

Sergio Garcia over Marc Leishman - Two bombers who can't always be trusted on the greens.

Miguel Angel Jimenez over Bill Haas - Likely Ryder Cup preview.

Ian Poulter over Ricky Fowler - Could get downright ugly - best match play star in the world against a slumping Fowler.

Jimmy Walker over Branden Grace - Grace is no cakewalk, but Walker's too hot not to win a match.

Round 2 Winners:
English, Stadler, Garcia, Poulter

Bracket Final:
Poulter over English

Final Four

Jason Day over Ian Poulter

Hunter Mahan over Matt Kuchar

Champion:
Jason Day

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Ferris
Ferris covers the PGA Tour for RotoWire. He is an award-winning sports writer and a veteran fantasy columnist. He also is a scratch golfer.
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