Pro Golf Now
Fansided

WGC-Match Play: Dell Technologies Golfer Picks to Win

By Christopher O'Day

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Jordan Spieth of the United States and Patrick Reed of the United States walk on the 14th hole during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2021 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Jordan Spieth of the United States and Patrick Reed of the United States walk on the 14th hole during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2021 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

We’ve had some high-profile tournaments lately, and are approaching major season. That can only mean one thing. It’s time for the WGC-Match Play Tournament.

Personally, I really enjoy this one. It’s a nice break from the regular style of play, and you get to see guys go head-to-head for the only time on Tour during the year. Yes, there are President’s Cups and Ryder Cup’s, things of that nature, but this is the only time with FedEx Cup points on the line.

Although it was all the way back in 2019, Kevin Kisner is the defending champion here, taking down Matt Kuchar that year. With the tournament starting Wednesday, and some players playing up to 126 holes, let’s take a look at some of the people the staff think will have a good shot at winning this year’s tournament.

Here are the PGN staff picks to win the WGC-Match Play event.

Jon Rahm

Dalton Finkbeiner – A lot of this tournament is about what kind of draw a player gets and I really like Rahm’s potential path to the final. Rahm has a record of 7-4-2 at Austin Country Club and finished 4th in 2017. He has been trending up recently and is coming off a 9th place finish at the Players. Also, like Austin Country Club, TPC Sawgrass is a Pete Dye design and Rahm has posted some strong finishes at both events.

Bryson DeChambeau

Joey McCusker

Tony Finau

Chris O’Day – Some people prepare in different ways. My way of preparing for the Masters, and inevitably getting hurt again, is to pick Finau to win an event in advance of Augusta. Jokes aside, Finau is one of the best players in the world. With length to attack this week, he should be at an advantage over most of the people he matches up against.

Patrick Reed

Michael Ellis – In a match play format, you have to like Patrick Reed this week. With his experience in match play situations on the biggest stages (NCAA Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup), Reed looks like a player who could upset a top-seed over the weekend en route to another win in the 2020-2021 season.

Kathy Bissell – Match Play Buzzsaw.

Richie Randolph – I don’t love making this pick, but give me Patrick Reed. Too good of a match play player!

Jason Day

Josh Chandler – In an excerpt from his article earlier this week…

“The Australian is a former winner of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play and he comes into this week having struck the ball terrifically of late. Day gained nearly ten strokes with his Irons in his last start at THE PLAYERS, ironically he was let down by his putter, something that has been holding him back in recent starts.”

Xander Scahuffele

Tim Letcher – He’s one of the most talented players in the world and he has a favorable draw at the Match Play. Look for Schauffele to snap out of his winless streak this week.

Collin Morikawa

Mike Randleman – In an excerpt from his weekly power rankings…

“Morikawa’s group is filled with steady ball-strikers, so he can’t breeze on through. With that said, fellow Cal Golden Bear Max Homa and J.T. Poston are both making their tournament debuts so they won’t have that upper hand on Morikawa. Homa has been playing quite well in 2021 and Horschel was T-2nd behind Morikawa at The Concession. With that said, Horschel hasn’t made it to the bracket rounds in both his WGC-Match Play appearances.”

Jordan Spieth

Bill Felber – Call me crazy but I’m riding with Jordan Spieth. I like that he’s been top 3 in three of his most recent four starts, I think he’s underseeded at 49, and I also like his group with Fitzpatrick, Wolff, and Conners. After that, anything goes.

West Valentine – I’m going to do something I haven’t done in a long time but have always hoped I would do – pick Jordan Speith to win a PGA Tour event. Obviously, Jordan has been playing well. He’s back home in Texas, his putter can absolutely crush spirits in match play, and I just really want him to get back in the winner’s circle.

dark. Next. WGC-Match Play: Looking back at the past winners

Best of luck to everyone at the WGC-Match Play. It’s gonna be a different event than we are all used to, but it might just be more exciting than any non-major event out there.

Home/PGA