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WGC-Dell Match Play: Who will survive and advance in Austin?

By Mike Randleman

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 27: Jason Day of Australia putts on the 11th green during his match against Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa in the championship match of the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play at the Austin Country Club on March 27, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 27: Jason Day of Australia putts on the 11th green during his match against Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa in the championship match of the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play at the Austin Country Club on March 27, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Dustin Johnson WGC Match Play
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MARCH 03: Dustin Johnson plays his second shot on the 15th green during the third round of World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec on March 3, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Breaking down the round of 16 at the WGC Dell Match Play

We’re back to the old reliable bracket format now that the field’s been cut to 16 players. Here is how things could shake out on an exciting Saturday-Sunday finish.

Dustin Johnson (1) vs. Matt Kuchar (16)

Kuchar won’t bow out easily, but DJ should be able to overpower his team USA compatriot. Kuchar’s finished outside the top 40 in his last four tournaments while Johnson has been inside that mark in 14 straight events.

Kuchar is a grinder who can put pressure on opponents, but not much has fazed Johnson these days.

Prediction: Johnson

Justin Thomas WGC Dell Match Play
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MARCH 04: Justin Thomas watches his shot from the third tee during the final round of World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship at Club De Golf Chapultepec on March 4, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Justin Thomas (2) vs. Gary Woodland (24)

It’s bombs away with this pairing as two of the PGA Tour’s biggest hitters battle it out. Both have wins this season, but Thomas has been the more consistent of the two and has the better short game.

Prediction: Thomas

Jon Rahm (3) vs. Phil Mickelson (14)

The ratings for this match in Tempe are bound to be astronomically high. Two former Arizona State Sun Devils square off here as Rahm’s caddy and former coach, Tim Mickelson, could go up against brother, Phil.

This one is a coin flip given how the two are on top of their games of late. I anticipate Rahm to make a few less mistakes and will be more locked in to this event.

Prediction: Rahm

Patrick Reed (19) vs. Tony Finau (29)

A pair of players who weren’t the top seed in their groups will vie for a spot in the quarterfinals. Reed and Finau are 34th and 33rd, respectively, on the PGA Tour in par breakers and will bring a lot of volatility to this match.

I’ll give Reed the nod here due to his course knowledge and match play prowess. Plus, he’s been in strong form in recent weeks.

Prediction: Reed

Patrick Cantlay WGC-Dell Match Play
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Patrick Cantlay plays his shot from the 11th tee during the final round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2018 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Patrick Cantlay (30) vs. Tyrrell Hatton (12)

Cantlay may be a stranger to Austin Country Club and the WGC-Dell Match Play, but he knows how to get it done in match play. He showed his mettle to qualify for the 2012 Masters by advancing through match play to the 2011 U.S. Amateur finals.

He’s on a tear that even a dominant European Tour player like Hatton can’t match. Give me Cantlay in a battle of two talented 20-somethings.

Prediction: Cantlay

Rory McIlroy (6) vs. Marc Leishman (11)

If the old Rory is back after last week’s win, he could be this week’s champion. Leishman has twice made the round of 16 in the last three years. He’ll have his work cut out for him trying to match McIlroy’s powerful game that opens up eagle opportunities galore.

Leishman won’t be fazed by the matchup and has the overall putting advantage, last week’s performance on the greens from McIlroy withstanding. I’ll go with McIlroy in a close one.

Prediction: McIlroy

Xander Schauffele (20) vs. Matt Fitzpatrick (31)

In another potential Ryder Cup faceoff, I’ve got Schauffele winning the battle of two 20-somethings here. Schauffele hasn’t cooled down much since his impressive rookie season in 2017. The Englishman Fitzpatrick is a name casual golf fans should know by now, but he’s yet to do much on this side of the pond.

Give me the X Man here.

Prediction: Schauffele

Jason Day (8) vs. Tommy Fleetwood (9)

This is the tightest projected matchup based on seed so far. I anticipate Day creating some separation, though.

Last season was tough on Day for multiple reasons, but he’s back to showing why he was once world No. 1. He has a win and a runner-up on the PGA Tour on the West Coast swing.

Fleetwood’s done well in WGC events before, including his Match Play run in 2015, but he’ll be edged out in a battle of two of the tournament’s top ball strikers.

Prediction: Day

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