Dell Match Play Sweet 16 Predictions

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 25: Jordan Spieth of the United States speaks with the media behind the 16th green during the third round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play at the Austin Country Club on March 25, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 24: Matt Kuchar of the United States plays a bunker shot on the 16th hole during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play at the Austin Country Club on March 24, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Match play experience will give Matt Kuchar the advantage.

Matt Kuchar and Brooks Koepka both survived powerful opponents to make it into the Sweet 16 brackets; and Kuch, with 2.5 points to Koepka’s 2 points would seem to have a slight advantage coming into their match.

However, Kuch’s first match against Anirban Lahiri, which he won handily with 6 and 5, was actually a bit lopsided. Lahiri was jet lagging badly and just wasn’t on his game. He didn’t stand a chance and for Kuch the win was something of a gift. Kuch went on to halve his match against Fabian Gomez, who’s relatively inexperienced at match play. It was his 3 and 2 win over Justin Rose that impresses.

Koepka’s 3 and 2 win over Billy Horschel followed by a 3 and 2 win over Jaco Van Zyl were confidence builders that set him up nicely for his match with Danny Willett, which Koepka lost 4 and 3. The win wasn’t enough to keep Willett in the game and Koepka’s 2 points against the weaker Horschel and Van Zyl advanced him to the Sweet 16s.

I’m looking for Kuchar to edge out the win. With three Ryder Cups, three Presidents Cups and 2 World Cups on his resume, he knows how to manage the strategy.

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