2015 WGC-Cadillac Match Play Bracket Predictions

Earlier today on The Golf Channel the groups were revealed for the 2015 WGC-Cadillac Match Play. We have a World Cup style of Match Play this year with 16 groups of four all playing each other in a round-robin from Wednesday to Friday.

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The winner of each group will then move on to the single elimination portion of the bracket over the weekend. For example, the Group 1 winner will fact the Group 16 winner, Group 2 winner will face the Group 15 winner, and so forth.

So, we’ll go over the groups, make some predictions on who advances and who eventually wins it all. We have a lot to go over so let’s get started.

Group 1:

Rory McIlroy

Billy Horschel

Brandt Snedeker

Jason Dufner

In terms of accomplishments, this is the best group. This group features two major champions and two FedEx Cup champions. If anyone in this group gets hot they can come out on top and go far into the weekend.

Rory McIlroy is obviously the favorite, but with a tough group like this going with chalk usually isn’t the best bet. The two that really pop out at me are Billy Horschel and Brandt Snedeker.

If their ball striking isn’t quite there, they have the luxury of relying on the putters to get through a few holes and hang around. Snedeker has played better this year, so, I lean towards him. I’ll take Sneds to advance.

Group 2:

Jordan Spieth

Lee Westwood

Matt Every

Mikko Ilonen

I feel like Jordan Spieth is the clear favorite in this group. I don’t really feel that strongly about Every and Westwood. The live dog in this one, for me, is Mikko Ilonen. I feel he has the potential to upset the applecart. But, with that said, I’m taking Spieth to advance out of Group 2.

Group 3:

Henrik Stenson

Bill Haas

Brendon Todd

John Senden

This is the premier ball striking group right here. All four can just stripe it right down the middle of the fairway time and time again. I feel it’s all going to come down to who putts the best. I kind of have a feeling that Brendon Todd may just want it more than the other three.

Todd is still a hungry guy with a chip on his shoulder trying to prove something and that’s usually who wins match play. I feel Todd is that guy and will win group 3 because of that.

Group 4:

Bubba Watson

Louis Oosthuizen

Keegan Bradley

Miguel Angel Jimenez

This is an interesting group of personalities right here. You have the coolest dude in golf in Jimenez, the most hated man in golf in Bubba, one of the most chill golfers in Oosthuizen, and one of the most fired up golfers in Bradley.

We talked about having a chip on your shoulder and how significant that is in match play. Bradley is hungry, in fact, he’s probably starving. Bradley hasn’t won anything since the 2012 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Bradley’s hungry and this is a group he can win. Bubba can get out of sorts pretty quickly, Jimenez is just there for the ride and looking to have some fun. I only see Oosthuizen who actually poses a threat to Bradley.

Group 5:

Jim Furyk

Martin Kaymer

Thongchai Jaidee

George Coetzee

This is probably the weakest group of them all. Which is saying something because Jaidee is a fantastic player on the Asian Tour, Coetzee is making a name for himself on the European Tour, Jim Furyk just won recently on the PGA Tour, and Martin Kaymer is the defending U.S. Open champion.

I like Furyk due to the fact that he just won at the RBC Heritage. Furyk finally has the monkey off his back and should be pretty loose. Plus, TPC Harding Park does suit his game.

Group 6:

Justin Rose

Ryan Palmer

Anirban Lahiri

Marc Leishman

Like group 2, this is Justin Rose’s to lose. Rose has a lot of momentum going for him now with a runner-up finish at The Masters and a win at the Zurich Classic. Rose is clearly the best player in this group and he has finally found his form. Watch out.

Group 7:

Jason Day

Zach Johnson

Branden Grace

Charley Hoffman

This is one of those groups where I can make a case for all four of these players to win. Jason Day is the defending match play champion and sticks out, so I won’t pick him. Instead, I’m going to go with Branden Grace.

Grace has the potential to be the Victor Dubuisson this year. Grace is a talented golfer who has gained some valuable experience over the past couple of years and I believe is on the verge of a breakout. This year’s Match Play has the potential to be that coming out party.

Group 8:

Dustin Johnson

Victor Dubuisson

Charl Schwartzel

Matt Jones

Speaking of Victor Dubuisson, I like him to win his group. Dubuisson seems to have a bit of Angel Cabrera in him where he may struggle at regular events, but when the spotlight comes on him he performs at an extremely high level.

Dubuisson has a magical touch around the greens and may steal a couple of holes which may very well be the difference.

Group 9:

Adam Scott

Chris Kirk

Paul Casey

Francesco Molinari

Chris Kirk and Paul Casey stick out for me. Adam Scott has been struggling and Molinari is a bit banged up. Kirk has struggled, but has the DNA to perform at a high level during match play events.

However, Paul Casey is the same way, but he’s been playing extremely well. Casey has the momentum and that gives him the edge in my eyes.

Group 10:

Sergio Garcia

Jamie Donaldson

Bernd Wiesberger

Tommy Fleetwood

Tommy Fleetwood is another one of these young golfers that you are going to be hearing about a lot in the next couple of years. Now, may not be his time, but keep an eye on him.

In this group I’m taking Bernd Wiesberger. Wiesberger started off extremely hot on the European Tour, but since coming over Stateside he has cooled off a bit, but still pretty solid.

Apr 16, 2015; Hilton Head, SC, USA; Ian Poulter inspects the green on the seventh hole during the first round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Group 11:

Jimmy Walker

Ian Poulter

Webb Simpson

Gary Woodland

Not since group 1 have we seen a group this tough. This is absolutely brutal. You have the master of match play in Ian Poulter, Jimmy Walker who had a great Ryder Cup, Webb Simpson who won his U.S. Open championship in San Francisco, and Gary Woodland who bombs it a mile.

J-Walk and Poulter have been in great form all season long, while Simpson and Woodland have been up-and-down, but if anyone of them gets hot, watch out. You can flip a coin as to who will win this one.

With three Americans in the group I can’t help but feel that Ian Poulter will think it’s a Ryder Cup and just go absolutely nuts. Poulter is playing great and it’s tough to bet against one of the best in one-on-one competitions.

Group 12:

J.B. Holmes

Brooks Koepka

Russell Henley

Marc Warren

This may not be the sexy group in terms of names, but J.B. Holmes, Brooks Koepka, Russell Henley, and Marc Warren all could win it if they were in different groups. Unfortunately, only one can win and I’m leaning towards Russell Henley.

I would maybe take Koepka if he were 100% healthy, but I’m, not sure if he is. Henley is one of these golfers that is always fired up and ready to give 100%. Henley has a chip on his shoulder and that may carry him all the way to Sunday. It wouldn’t surprise me.

Group 13:

Rickie Fowler

Graeme McDowell

Shane Lowry

Harris English

I see Harris English at the bottom and can’t help but feel that he’s like the basketball school that is a powerhouse, but got under seeded. English is another young, very competitive, hungry golfer that has something to prove. Plus, English has found his form again and is playing some good golf.

Group 14:

Matt Kuchar

Hunter Mahan

Stephan Gallacher

Ben Martin

Matt Kuchar and Hunter Mahan are two of the best match play golfers in the field. Unfortunately, they meet up in group play where only one could potentially advance.

This is a rematch of the final in 2013 and I think Kuchar gets the best of Mahan along with Gallacher and Martin and wins the group.

Group 15:

Patrick Reed

Ryan Moore

Danny Willett

Andy Sullivan

Patrick Reed is the clear favorite in this one. Reed caught a break and got a pretty fortunate group. Reed really should be able to win his group.

Group 16:

Hideki Matsuyama

Kevin Na

Joost Luiten

Alexander Levy

We have a potential match up of McIlroy and Matuyama Saturday morning if they both win their groups. Yes, please! However, as we talked about way back towards the top I don’t have McIlroy advancing in his group, nor do I have Matsuyama winning his group either.

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There are a couple of potential Victor Dubuisson’s this year and Alexander Levy…or even Joost Luiten can be that this year, but I am leaning more towards Levy.

(1) Brandt Snedeker vs. (16) Alexander Levy

I’ve got Snedeker moving on because of that putter.

(8) Victor Dubuisson vs. (9) Paul Casey

It’s really tough to go against Dubuisson, but I like Casey in this one, same with Kirk if he represents group 9, but without buttering both sides of my toast I’ve got Casey moving.

(4) Keegan Bradley vs. (13) Harris English

What a match up this is. This would absolutely be must watch T.V. I’ve got Bradley moving on which will set up another fantastic match up…

(5) Jim Furyk vs. (12) Russell Henley

I love the 12 seed in this match up. No matter who wins I think the 12 seed moves on. I have Henley winning the group so I say Henley moves on. I’m salivating at the thought of Bradley-Henley.

(3) Brendon Todd vs. (14) Matt Kuchar

Not that the number really matters, but I find it funny that Todd represents the 3 seed and Kuchar represents the 14 seed. Either way, I’ve got Kuch moving on in a close contest.

(6) Justin Rose vs. (11) Ian Poulter

With how easy Rose has it in his group and with how hard Poulter has it in his group, Poulter might be worn down by the time we get to Saturday. Rose, meanwhile, may be as fresh as, well, a Rose…yeah, I know.

(2) Jordan Spieth vs. (15) Patrick Reed

Yes! Yes! YES! It doesn’t matter we all win. I really hope this happens. What a fantastic match this would be. Oh, yeah, let me flip a coin…Reed it is.

(7) Branden Grace vs. (10) Bernd Wiesberger

Something tells me the networks might not be happy with this one. Oh, well, it would still be a great match up. I would have to take Grace in this situation.

Mar 19, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Brandt Snedeker lines up a putt on the 6th during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill Club & Lodge . Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

(1) Brandt Snedeker vs. (9) Paul Casey

I’ve got go with Sneds again. Casey is playing some great golf, but I love Sneds putter. If he can just strike the ball well…

(4) Keegan Bradley vs. (13) Russell Henley

Another match up that gets the blood boiling. This is about as intense as it gets with Bradley and Henley squaring off. I lean towards Henley who should have more in the gas tank in the afternoon.

(6) Justin Rose vs. (14) Matt Kuchar

Justin Rose gets a tough match up with Kuch, but with the way the bracket set up, Rose is getting these match ups with golfers that might be worn down from the previous round. I’ve got Rose in the afternoon session.

(10) Brendan Grace vs. (15) Patrick Reed

We talked about who I was taking before the match ups came out. I had Patrick Reed in the top spot, but with how things have shaken down and with him getting Spieth Saturday morning, that might wear him down emotionally Saturday afternoon. I’ve got Grace upending Reed.

(1) Brandt Snedeker vs. (13) Russell Henley

This is one where based on the match ups previously, I think Sneds wins, however, I’m going to go with Henley who I think can just keep getting up for all these match ups.

(6) Justin Rose vs. (15) Brendan Grace

Probably an unexpected and unusually match up, but who saw Day and Dubuisson in the final? You have to go out on a limb and with the way the bracket set up, this is how I see it. Grace has a good shot at defeating Rose, but I think Rose won’t have the wear and tear on him even still this deep in the tournament.

Sep 13, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Russell Henley plays from a fairway bunker on the seventeenth hole during the third round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Consolation Match:

Brandt Snedeker vs. Brendan Grace

Snedeker might not be up for it in the Sunday afternoon. I’ve got Grace winning the 3rd place bronze medal in this one.

Championship Match:

Justin Rose vs. Russell Henley

It’s tough to win back-to-back on the PGA Tour and while I see that Rose has a good shot to do it, I think Henley wins out. Henley is one of these good young golfers on Tour, but still continues to fly under-the-radar. Winning the WGC-Cadillac Match Play will make him a household now.

So, there we are. It’s not exactly how I envisioned it before hand, but with how the match ups ended up playing out, that’s what I got. Well, that’s my (soon to be busted) bracket, what’s yours? Leave your comments down below.

Next: Phil Mickelson WD's From Match Play

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