As we get ever closer to the first major of the year at Augusta for The Masters it’s an early start this week for the WGC Dell Matchplay starting on Wednesday at Austin Country Club, Texas.
This, as the name suggests is a Matchplay event, with a totally unique and different format to what we usually preview. It’s a last chance for most of this star-studded field to brush up before heading to Augusta for the much anticipated Masters.
It’s always wise to to have a look at the groups, 16 of them with four in each group before predicting a winner but then again it may just pay off to stick with your favourite golfer without confusing the issue.
One thing for sure is that there will be many various markets available all the way through to Sunday. It will have more of a Champions League feel to it rather than the normal stroke play golf tournaments we are used to.
WGC Dell Matchplay Tournament Format
I’ll try to explain the order of play before looking at my selections just to familiarise you with what to expect over the next five days.
The 64 competitors will be divided into 16 groups of four over the first three days (Wednesday- Friday) they will play each other once over 18 holes.
On Friday the group winners will be determined and progress to the weekend’s knockout stages.
The last 16 games will take place on Saturday morning followed by the quarter-finals in the afternoon.
The semi-finals and final will then be staged on Sunday until we have an eventual winner.
The weather is forecast to be unpredictable and changeable on Wednesday and Thursday with a mix of rain, showers and sunshine with winds expected to reach 15mph. Friday, Saturday and Sunday should see conditions improve with sunny spells and temperatures to rise with moderate breezes.
We will see 47 of the world's top 50 ranked golfers in attendance for this five day event all competing for the $10.5million prize money with a cool $1.82million to the winner.
Kevin Kisner will return to defend his title after winning this event in 2019 with last year’s tournament cancelled.
The event will be screened live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf starting 4pm GMT Wednesday.
Bryson De Chambeau
So let’s move on with some selections for what should be an exciting five days of golf. For my first and main pick I’m going to advise the Hulk of golf, the one and only Bryson De Chambeau 18/1 EW Betfair.
The world No.5 is in sublime form at the moment and with a few short par 4s on this course to negotiate then I’m sure Bryson will be licking his lips.
The powerhouse American was T3rd at The Players Championship last week, the week before he showed everyone up when winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational with his customary no nonsense drives over lakes and ponds that no one else would dare attempt.
At the last WGC Workday at The Concession last month he was 22nd so it’s clear to see De Chambeau is in a rich vein of form as we build up to the Masters in two weeks.
This event can set Bryson up nicely for Augusta and I feel he will intimidate whoever comes up against him over the next few days especially with this being two golfers going head to head all the way to the final on Sunday.
De Chambeau’s presence will be enough to give him the upper hand as there is just simply no one to match his power and this will give him an advantage before he even hits a ball. I’m taking power to be key in this Matchplay format therefore Bryson De Chambeau to be king of kings come Sunday in Austin, Texas sounds good to me.
Rory McIlroy
For my next selection I’m going to stick with Rory McIlroy 25/1 EW Betfair.
Listen, I know many may have gone off Rory recently without a win in 17 months and shooting rounds of 79 and 75 last time out at TPC Sawgrass but I’m willing to give Rory a chance.
As I’ve commented recently, I just feel it’s a matter of time before the Irishman bounces back with a victory and it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.
This event is set up nicely for McIlroy and if he can hit the form we all know he is capable of then it’s going to be hard for anyone in this field to beat him especially in a knockout event like this.
If Rory can get off to a good start and beat Ian Poulter in his first matchup then this will give him confidence and perhaps he’ll find his mojo.
A confident Rory bringing his A-game will be a tough nut to crack for anyone in this star studded field. Let’s not forget the week before TPC Sawgrass, McIlroy finished 10th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, at the previous WGC event at The Concession he was T6th and since the BMW Championship last year he has finished in the Top 20 on no less than eleven occasions with to many to mention and five of those were on the Top 10.
That’s certainly not form that suggests to me the Irishman is anywhere near struggling so I’m giving Rory McIlroy my vote of confidence and for the four time major champion to get back to winning ways with another victory come Sunday.
Paul Casey
For my next pick I’m going to look further up the field and look for some value so for that reason I’m going to recommend Paul Casey 33/1EW Betfair.
I tipped the Englishman, ranked 18th in the world at 70/1 to win the The Players Championship and although he never won the tournament he certainly didn’t disappoint finishing a respectable 5th playing some tidy golf to the satisfaction of many each-way punters who collected a tidy profit.
In his last six tournaments, just have a look at this for a model of consistency;
- 8th at The American Express
- 12th at the Saudi International
- 5th at AT&T Pebble Beach
- 10th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
- 5th at The Players Championship
and to round it all off a victory and 1st place at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, impressive stuff.
The Englishman is a two-time runner-up at this event and has reached the last 16 in seven of his ten starts.
He clearly enjoys this Matchplay format so I’m predicting he will be one of the contenders and be there or thereabouts yet again at an attractive price.
Matchbets
For my final selections I’m going to choose a single and a double in the Wednesday matchbets, Rory McILroy to beat Ian Poulter 4/6 Nap Bet365 single and Rory McILroy 4/6 to beat Ian Poulter & Jon Rahm 2/5 to beat Sebastian Munoz Double.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Ouch ,never back against poults in a match play.
Fancy Billy Horschel E/W
Absolutely fantastic tipping Brianmcguinnes1966. Billy Horschel reaches the final . Good luck for the final 18 holes 🤞 Must admit , never seen that one coming . Well done 👏