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WGC-Match Play: Semifinal Breakdowns and Predictions

By Tim Letcher

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 27: Billy Horschel of the United States celebrates with his caddie after winning his match against Tommy Fleetwood of England during the quarterfinal round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 27, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 27: Billy Horschel of the United States celebrates with his caddie after winning his match against Tommy Fleetwood of England during the quarterfinal round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 27, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images) /
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We’re down to the semifinals at the WGC-Match Play and we’re not exactly stacked with star power with just four players left. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be good golf played on Sunday.

Saturday started with 16 players remaining, including Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson. That was a solid group, even though there was no Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas or Rory McIlroy included.

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Out of that group, Fleetwood, Garcia and Rahm advanced to the final eight. But none of those three would make it to the semifinal round.

The players who did make it were 31st seed Victor Perez of France, who will face 32nd seed Billy Horschel. The other semifinal has number 30 seed Scottie Scheffler against the 52nd seed, Matt Kuchar. Here’s a closer look at each semifinal matchup, along with a pick to win.

Victor Perez vs. Billy Horschel (10:05 a.m. ET) – For those who did not know him before this week, Perez has made a name for himself with his play in Austin. On Saturday, in the round of 16, he pounded Robert MacIntryre 5&4. In the quarterfinals, Perez had very little trouble in beating Sergio Garcia 4&3. Garcia won the first hole of the match, then only won one more hole in the match. Meanwhile, Perez won six holes, including the 15th, where he closed out Garcia.

In the round of 16, Horschel took early control of his match against Kevin Streelman by winning the first two holes. Horschel went 4-up with six holes to play on his way to a 3&1 victory. Then in the quarterfinals, Horschel fell behind Fleetwood and trailed for nearly the entire match. However, he won the 17th hole to square the match. Then, on the 19th hole of the match, Horschel drove it in the fairway, then watched Fleetwood get into trouble off the tee. Ultimately, Horschel would win the hole, and the match, with a par.

Prediction: Perez continues to be overlooked, although he will be the favorite, according to seeding, in this match. We’ll go with Perez to advance to the title match.

Scottie Scheffler vs. Matt Kuchar (10:15 a.m. ET) – Scheffler is enjoying his stay in his former college town. In the round of 16 on Saturday, Scheffler met Ian Poulter, who had been the hottest player in Austin the first three days of the event. But Scheffler had no problems, beating Poulter 5&4. Then in the quarterfinals, Scheffler controlled the entire match against third-seeded Jon Rahm, eventually winning 3&1.

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Kuchar, who has also bee red hot this week in Austin, trailed Jordan Spieth for 12 holes in Saturday’s round of 16. But Kuch eventually caught Spieth, then beat him on 18 with a birdie. In the quarterfinals, Kuchar won the first hole to take the lead, and he would lead almost the entire match, beating Brian Harman 3&1. He will be making his fourth appearance in the WGC-Match Play semifinals, tied with Tiger Woods for the most ever.

Prediction: Scheffler seems to be enjoying his trip back to Austin. Look for him to continue that hot streak against Kuchar.

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