Golf Barometer: Match Play Picks

Golf Barometer: Match Play Picks

This article is part of our Golf Barometer series.

I have some simple rules in life, such as, when there's a snow delay at a PGA Tour or WGC event, I get an extra day with my predictions.

Here is a 63-match crystal ball for the Accenture Match Play Championship (in-progress picks are shamelessly marked with an asterisk).

Bobby Jones Bracket

McIlroy over Lowry: Rory's new equipment won't matter in this one.

Pettersson over Fowler: When conditions go bad, go with the ultimate grinder.

*Noren over Johnson: D.J. seems afflicted with Adam Scott disease - having too much fun.

McDowell over Harrington: Two laid-back players very dangerous in this format.

*Watson over Wood: Taking it on faith, Bubba's been a wild card.

*Moore over Furyk: Last year's Ryder Cup hard to forget.

*Schwartzel over Henley: Still a little surprised Schwartzel didn't close in L.A.

*Day over Z. Johnson: Yeah, pick the guy with a six-hole lead.

Pettersson over McIlroy: Everyman stuns the world traveler.

McDowell over Noren: McDowell has perfect temperament for match play.

Moore over Watson: Eventually Bubba runs out of trick shots.

Day over Schwartzel: Two shotmakers, could go either way.

McDowell over Pettersson
Day over Moore
Day over McDowell

Gary Player Bracket

Woods over Howell: Now let's not be ridiculous.

Molinari over Fernandez-Castano: Feel better about Molinari's resume.

Lynn over Simpson: Didn't like Simpson's putter late last week.

Hanson over Bjorn: Early exit last week might be blessing in disguise.

*Westwood over Cabrera-Bello: Overdue for a win on big stage.

*Kaymer over Coetzee: Despite the early

I have some simple rules in life, such as, when there's a snow delay at a PGA Tour or WGC event, I get an extra day with my predictions.

Here is a 63-match crystal ball for the Accenture Match Play Championship (in-progress picks are shamelessly marked with an asterisk).

Bobby Jones Bracket

McIlroy over Lowry: Rory's new equipment won't matter in this one.

Pettersson over Fowler: When conditions go bad, go with the ultimate grinder.

*Noren over Johnson: D.J. seems afflicted with Adam Scott disease - having too much fun.

McDowell over Harrington: Two laid-back players very dangerous in this format.

*Watson over Wood: Taking it on faith, Bubba's been a wild card.

*Moore over Furyk: Last year's Ryder Cup hard to forget.

*Schwartzel over Henley: Still a little surprised Schwartzel didn't close in L.A.

*Day over Z. Johnson: Yeah, pick the guy with a six-hole lead.

Pettersson over McIlroy: Everyman stuns the world traveler.

McDowell over Noren: McDowell has perfect temperament for match play.

Moore over Watson: Eventually Bubba runs out of trick shots.

Day over Schwartzel: Two shotmakers, could go either way.

McDowell over Pettersson
Day over Moore
Day over McDowell

Gary Player Bracket

Woods over Howell: Now let's not be ridiculous.

Molinari over Fernandez-Castano: Feel better about Molinari's resume.

Lynn over Simpson: Didn't like Simpson's putter late last week.

Hanson over Bjorn: Early exit last week might be blessing in disguise.

*Westwood over Cabrera-Bello: Overdue for a win on big stage.

*Kaymer over Coetzee: Despite the early deficit.

*Sterne over Dufner: Finally healthy and confident again, been sizzling overseas.

Mahan over Manassero: Good history here; should have been on Ryder Cup team.

Woods over Molinari: Mental toughness can't be discounted.

Hanson over Lynn: Both players have ability to go deep.

Westwood over Kaymer: Ball striking overcomes balky putter.

Mahan over Sterne: Should be one of better Second Round matches.

Woods over Hanson
Mahan over Westwood
Woods over Mahan

Ben Hogan Bracket

Oosthuizen over Ramsay: World class player should cruise here.

Garrigus over Grace: Big hitter will be aggressive from word go.

*Bradley over Fraser: We saw his match play chops at Ryder Cup.

*Jacobson over Els: He'll atone for surprising hiccup late at Riviera.

*Rose over Choi: More shots in the bag.

*Colsaerts over Haas: Ryder Cup breakout comes in handy here.

*Garcia over Jaidee: Nothing is ever easy for him.

*Kuchar over Fujita: Top-5 putting stroke a major bonus here.

Oosthuizen over Garrigus: More experience, more layers to game.

Bradley over Jacobson: A shame this isn't a later-round match.

Rose over Colsaerts: Past form and pedigree matters here.

Kuchar over Garcia: Tougher player, more reliable in clutch.

Oosthuizen over Bradley
Kuchar over Rose
Kuchar over Oosthuizen

Sam Snead Bracket

Donald over Siem: Upsets happen in this event, but I can't go here.

Piercy over Lawrie: Earned cred with last season's step forward.

*Stricker over Stenson: Two wild cards, but Striker came out sharp in opener.

*Watney over Toms: After an underachieving 2012, hard to say who Watney really is.

*Scott over Clark: Perhaps they can bond over pending putter changes.

*Olesen over Donaldson: Hard to see early lead evaporating.

*Poulter over Gallacher: Obviously the best Match Play competitor in the world.

*Van Pelt over Senden: Super skill set, but where are the wins?

Piercy over Donald: It never feels like that great of an upset when Donald loses.

Watney over Stricker: Off big layoff, can't call Stricker going deep.

Olesen over Scott: While Scott went deep once, 2003 was a while back.

Poulter over Van Pelt: No one expects early Poulter defeat.

Watney over Piercey
Poulter over Olesen
Poulter over Watney

Final Four

Tiger Woods over Jason Day
Ian Poulter over Matt Kuchar

Final

Tiger Woods over Ian Poulter. Just seeing this match would feel like a glorious win.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Ferris
Ferris covers the PGA Tour for RotoWire. He is an award-winning sports writer and a veteran fantasy columnist. He also is a scratch golfer.
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