WGC Dell Technologies Match Play: Expert Picks

Tournament Information

WGC Dell Technologies
Date: Mar 27 - 31
Course: Austin Country Club
Purse - $11MM ($1.2MM to winner)
FedEx points – 550 to winner
2018 Winner: Bubba Watson def. Kevin Kisner 7 & 6

Course

Austin Country Club: Resting along the Colorado River, the Davenport Ranch which hosts this course after two previous moves under the name Austin Country Club. At 7,100 yards, this par 71 was originally opened in 1899 and is believed to be the oldest course in Texas, this course was redesigned by Pete Dye in 1984. It is a Jekyll and Hyde course that requires golfers to adjust to different altitudes and topographies on front nine vs. back.

How this tournament works

In this tournament they split the golfers up into Pool A-D with Pool A being the top 16 golfers, pool B being the next top 16. They then split each of those pools among the 16 groups such that each group has a golfer from Pool A, B, C and D. Each group has matchplay among the four golfers, the golfer with the most wins comes out victorious.

In lieu of 6 total picks I’ll let you know who I think is advancing from each of the 16 groups into what becomes a bracket consisting of the pool of 16.

Pool of 16

Dustin Johnson (Group 1) — There is a reason he is the #1 overall seed here. Two years ago he was the winner traversing past Zach Johnson, Alex Noren, Hideto Tanihara and Jon Raham in the pool of 16.

Gary Woodland (Group 2) — Gary is playing some amazing golf this year; no disrespect to Justin but I think Gary is the surprise from Group 2

Brooks Koepka (Group 3) — He’s playing very well and this looks to me to be a weaker group. Two years ago here he made it to the pool of 16 only to lose to Alex Noren.

Rory McIlroy (Group 4) — As of late Rory is among the best but don’t sleep on Luke List at the bottom of this group, he could pull a big upset here.

Keegan Bradley (Group 5) — Justin is tried and true but Keegan has a swagger when it comes to head vs. head golf and usually pulls a good mental edge.

Marc Leishman (Group 6) — He missed the cut at the Players Championship but he now has top five finishes in five of his 10 tournaments this season. Two years ago he was ousted by Phil Mickelson in the round of 16.

Webb Simpson (Group 7) — This to me is a toss up, I think Francesco or Webb could pull out with a win here. I’ll give a nod to Webb

Matt Kuchar (Group 8) — He has the experience and calm demeanor to pull out a mental match up on this group. He went 2-0-1 to advance last year here.

Tyrrell Hatton (Group 9) — Last year he beat Brendan Steele and Alexander Levy to advance to the round of 16.

Paul Casey (Group 10) — He’s on fire right now. This is a tough draw though, Charles Howell III and Abraham Ancer are playing like top 30 players. Two years ago Paul advanced to the round of 16 and lost to Hideto Tanihara in round 1. Charles Howell III has made it past his group each of the last two years, it stops this year.

Tommy Fleetwood (Group 11) — In general, if he’s participating in the PGA event, he should be a top 15 contender.

Henrik Stenson (Group 12) — This is a group of all-stars – Jason Day, Phil Mickelson, Henrik and Jim Furyk. Toss a coin?

Aaron Wise (Group 13) — My Massive upset pick here, Aaron outduels Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay and Brandt Snedeker as the young talent.

Tony Finau (Group 14) — Quiet and precise as always Tony prevails.

Bubba Watson (Group 15) — Last year’s winner advances over Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel and Kevin Na.

Sergio Garcia (Group 16) — He went 3-0 over Xander Schauffele, Dylan Frittelli and Shubhankar Sharma last year before losing to Kyle Stanley in round 1 of the top 16.

Winner: Give me Tommy Fleetwood prevailing with the win!

Fun Factoid: In 2001 they played this tournament at the Metropolitan Golf Club in Victoria Australia