WGC-Dell Match Play: Predictions for Saturday’s Knockout Rounds

Marc Leishman (28) v. Phil Mickelson (14)

This has the potential to be one of the best matches of the day. Coming off a win at last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, Leishman just barely survived pool play, sinking a crucial 12-footer on the second playoff hole to outlast groupmates Pat Perez and Lee Westwood.

Mickelson, meanwhile, has been phenomenal all week, winning every one of his matches in just his second Dell Match Play appearance since 2012. This one could go either way, but my choice is Lefty — the five-time major champion has yet to play the last three holes this week, a testament to his dominance.

Prediction: Mickelson

Kevin Na (46) v. Bill Haas (42)

This match will see a couple of good-not-great PGA Tour pros battle it out to remain in the hunt for what would be a first career WGC trophy. Both survived sudden death rounds to get here — Na hit a remarkable second shot on the first playoff hole to take care of Matthew Fitzpatrick, while Haas dispatched a tenacious K.T. Kim after six holes.

This is another one that could go either way, but I’m rolling with Na. He already bested a couple of fiery young players in his group, while Haas took the same amount of holes to take down a group of lesser opponents.

Prediction: Na

Quarterfinal Prediction: Phil Mickelson v. Kevin Na

As much as it pains me to say, I don’t think that Mickelson will advance past the quarterfinals. The 46-year-old is still in great shape for his age, but physical decline is inevitable, and playing up to 36 holes of intense match play in a day is a tall order. Na is rock-solid and his affinity for the course is clear, so I’m taking a gamble on youth over experience.

Prediction: Na

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