WGC-Match Play: Predictions for All 16 Groups

Group 14: Phil Mickelson, J.B. Holmes, Daniel Berger, Siwoo Kim

Sam’s Pick: Mickelson — Lefty doesn’t usually show up for the WGC-Match Play these days, so golf fans are in for a special treat this week. With four top 25 finishes in six starts, Mickelson’s form has been relatively good in 2017, so he’ll have a pretty good opportunity to advance to the knockout stage this week.

Of course, Holmes has had his share of match play moments, most notably as a member of the last two victorious American Ryder Cup squads. Berger, meanwhile, has been struggling with inconsistency this season, and he didn’t take to Austin Country Club last year. And with zero top 25s in the new year, it looks like Kim will be mere fodder in this group.

While his match play record isn’t the best, I’m throwing my support behind Mickelson in this group. Let’s see how much his veteran experience can help him in golf’s most unpredictable format.

Beth’s Pick: Holmes — JB Holmes will eat Mickelson for lunch. Lefty won’t be able to keep up with JB’s rip-it-and-grip-it golf style, and Austin Country Club’s the plays to play that kind of game. It’s going to be fun watching these two Ryder Cup teammates out-maneuver each other but in the end Mickelson’s short game won’t save him in Texas. He needs to save it for Augusta National. JB will advance.