Friday, February 25, 2011

Picking Winners...Or Trying To

   Okay, so I only picked three of eight winners in Friday's matches at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

  One of the good things about match play is yesterday doesn't matter. You start fresh every day.

   That said, I'll take another stab at guesswork for the quarterfinals. Here goes nothing:

   -- Luke Donald vs. Ryan Moore: There's a stylish element to this match which pairs two players who don't rely on power but on managing their games. That's what you say about guys who don't routinely bomb it 310 off the tee.

   I love Moore's unique style but I more love Donald's match play success in recent years. Pick: Donald.

  -- Miguel Angel Jiminez vs. Martin Kaymer: The Mechanic keeps hanging around, winning matches then enjoying his cigars and wine. There's something to be said for that.

    Then there's Kaymer, who can take over the No. 1 world ranking if he reaches the finals. It could happen. Pick: Kaymer.

   -- Matt Kuchar vs. Y.E. Yang: Kuchar continues to solidify his place as one of the best American golfers and this week adds to it. Yang, meanwhile, has been quiet since taking down Tiger Woods in the PGA but he's back. Pick: Kuchar

   -- J.B. Holmes vs. Bubba Watson: Gentlemen, start the jaw dropping.

  This is golf's version of a muscle-car competition. I see your 322-yard drive and raise you 10. Holmes wasn't in this tournament until Tim Clark withdrew and now he could win. Watson hasn't trailed in any match so far and he's been playing beautifully this year. Should be fun to watch: Pick: Watson

1 comments:

HokieTT said...

TV execs have to be hating this field and praying for Kaymer vs Bubba. There's not much other than that as far as what people would want to see. I could see Kooch becoming a fan favorite with some breakthrough play, though...