WGC-Dell Match Play: Last 16 Bracket Breakdown and Picks

Kurt Kitayama (19)  vs  Andrew Putnam (56)  –  9:41 am EST

Kitayama needed to beat Tony Finau and survive a three-man playoff on Friday in order to advance to the last 16, and that is exactly what the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational winner did.

Kurt lost to Adrian Meronk (2&1) on Wednesday before beating Christiaan Bezuidenhout (2&1) on Thursday and Tony Finau (4&3) on Friday. He then proceeded to beat both Meronk and Finau again in a sudden-death playoff.

Putnam was another surprise group winner this week ousting top-seeded Will Zalatoris (7) in group seven. Zalatoris was another player who withdrew prior to the completion of the group round on Friday, though, that was after Andrew Putnam had previously beaten him on Wednesday by a 3&2 margin.

Andrew took care of Ryan Fox (2&1) on Thursday and Harris English (4&3) on Friday to finish with an impressive 3-0-0 record. It’s been an impressive run for Putnam, but he may just meet his match on Saturday. Kitayama continues to show great resolve and heart and that can carry him into the Quarterfinals.

Winner: Kurt Kitayama

Cameron Young (15)  vs  Billy Horschel (22)  –  9:52 am EST

Experience meets one of the bright young stars on Tour in this tantalizing last-16 match. After partnering up with Webb Simpson’s old caddie, Paul Tesori, prior to this week’s WGC-Dell Match Play; Young has seen instant returns. Cameron won group 15 with a 3-0-0 record and edged out last year’s third-place winner at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Corey Conners, in the process.

Meanwhile, 2021 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play winner Billy Horschel won what was arguably this year’s ‘group of death’, group two. Horschel topped a group that featured Jon Rahm (2), Keith Mitchell (39), and Rickie Fowler (49).

Now, Billy, after finishing with a 2-0-1 record in the group stage gets to face the surging Cam Young in the last 16. In what should be one of the best matches of the round, it’s Billy Horschel who continues his incredible run in this event and moves on to the last eight.

Winner: Billy Horschel