WGC Accenture Matchplay - Preview

The 2013 edition of the WGC Accenture Matchplay gets underway later this week at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Arizona, USA.

Previous five winners: 2008: Tiger Woods; 2009: Geoff Ogilvy; 2010: Ian Poulter; 2011: Luke Donald; 2012: Hunter Mahan.

Here is the run-down for those unfamiliar with the format and how the tournament plays out. The top 64 golfers in the Official World Golf Rankings are selected. If, for any reason, any of those top 64 cannot participate, then the next best ranked golfer is selected. In other words, if one player is unavailable, then the 65th ranked golfer would be selected, then the 66th, and so on. On a side note, Phil Mickelson, who won the Waste Management Phoenix Open only a few weeks ago, is not participating.

The format is a straight knockout matchplay, one on one, with the ultimate winner having to win six matches out of six over a five day period: Round of 64, Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semi Finals, and Final.

The participants are separated into four brackets (4 groups of 16). Bobby Jones bracket, Ben Hogan bracket, Gary Player bracket, and the Sam Snead bracket. The winner of each bracket goes into the semi-finals.

Defending champion Hunter Mahan (Accenture)

All 32 First Round matches are listed on the PGA Tour website, but here is my selection of some heavyweight match-ups on day one and possible choices of potential upsets and dark horses. Current world ranking in brackets.

Justin Rose (6) vs KJ Choi (62) - One of Europe's Ryder Cup heroes, Rose won the World Golf Championship's Cadillac Championship last year and was knocked out of the first round of the Accenture Matchplay last year. Choi was also knocked out in the first round in 2012. Current form would suggest Rose wins this one but not by much.

Adam Scott (7) vs Tim Clark (61) - Scott has excelled over the past year and a half with Steve Williams as caddy and a switch to the broomstick putter. It is hard to see Clark, who is making his first appearance in the tournament since 2011, causing an upset here.

Jason Dufner (12) vs Richard Sterne (57) - Sterne is one of many South Africans who have risen to prominence over the past few seasons. Dufner will have the home crowd on his side, but let's not forget that Sterne has already had success this year, winning two weeks ago in the Joburg Open by a comfortable seven strokes.

Steve Striker (16) vs Henrik Stenson (53) - Stricker might be 45, but is ever-consistent recording two top-10s out of the 4 WGC events in 2012. Stenson return after missing out on qualifying last year. Stricker for me.

Chris Wood (USA Today)

Bubba Watson (10) vs Chris Wood (59) - Chris Wood could be a potential dark horse in this event. Bubba, the reigning Masters champion, faces a man who won his first European Tour event last month by making eagle on the last hole at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and has improved his world ranking significantly in early 2013. Could this be the match of the first round?

Graeme McDowell (19) vs Padraig Harrington (50) - Harrington already has a top-10 on the PGA Tour this year but McDowell goes in to this one as the favourite. Harrington can take some comfort in knowing that McDowell has only progressed to the 2nd round in one of his last four attempts.

Ernie Els (22) vs Fredrik Jacobson (47) - Jacobson was unlucky not to win last week, missing a four-foot putt to make the playoff at the Northern Trust Open. Can he get over his disappointment in time?

Hunter Mahan (25) vs Matteo Manassero (44) - The defending champion comes up against the Italian teenager in what could could be a potential banana skin for Mahan. If Manassero finds his A-game he might cause a major upset.

Bill Haas (30) vs Nicolas Colsaerts (39) - A few years ago not many golf followers were aware of Belgium's Colsaerts, but he has since won a couple of European Tour events and chalked up some consistent finishes. However, he does face-off against 2011 Fed Ex Cup champion Haas who has 3 top 10s in only 5 events to start the season.

Martin Kaymer (28) vs George Coetzee (41) - Coetzee is another South African who has impressed over the past year. Came close to winning the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in January. Should be a close match against Kaymer who has found a return to form since mid-2012.

Nike duo: McIlroy and Woods in their "No Cup is Safe" Nike Golf commercial

The big names: Rory McIlroy's switch to Nike equipment has not started well at all, but he should live up to his world number one ranking and beat Shane Lowry in the first round. Spaniard Sergio Garcia has been known to let the pressure get to him at times and Thongchai Jaidee will put up a great fight. Tiger Woods meets Charles Howell III; Ian Poutler, triumphant in 2010, faces fellow Brit Stephen Gallacher; Lee Westwood locks horns with Rafael Cabrera-Bello; and Luke Donald, 2011 winner, will battle Marcel Siem for a place in the second round.

As you can see, there is a lot to be excited about.


Fun trivia fact to end on.  Tiger Woods is credited of having the biggest winning margin in the tournament's history - a 9/8 win over Stephen Ames in 2006. Why else was this significant? Shortly before his first round match up against then world number one Tiger, Ames took a swipe at the state of Tiger's golf game: "Anything can happen, especially where he's hitting the ball." Moral of the story - Let the golf do the talking to shut up your opponent.