[madsteve]

WGC Match Play

A different challenge this week with match play. There are 16 groups of four players who play a round robin with the winners of each group going through to a knock out. The top 16 players have been seeded so it is a question of picking which players can come through and win seven matches in five days (can maybe get away with one loss or tie in opening three games).

This is being played at the Austin Country Club in Texas. All of the top 64 players are here with the exception of Stenson & Furyk so it will take a good performance to win.

This event tends to have quite a few upsets along the way but generally it is a top player that prevails. It is tricky on a different course to compare but generally good match play players do well as do form players. Seven rounds in five days also takes its toll so I would tend to go for younger players.

Rory McIroy 11/1

While Rory hasn't been brilliant recently, he has played some great rounds and has tended to throw it away with a couple of careless shots. In match play, he won't be penalised so heavily. Rory is a top match play player & won this event last year We get used to seeing Rory at 6/1 so I see 11/1 as value. It can all go wrong very quickly but Rory is the most likely winner.

Paul Casey 33/1

Casey put in a good show last week and is a good match play player. He also probably feels that he has something to prove. He has got to get past Jason Day in the group stages, which might be tough, but that is reflected in the price.

Patrick Reed 35/1

Another good match play player. Has to get past Mickelson in the group stages but feel he could go the whole way if he gets on a roll.

Mark Leishman 80/1

Has a decent match play record with recent wins against Speith & Kuchar. Reached the QF last year & is in better form now. Took the price before the draw was made and a good draw means his price has been cut.

Andy Sullivan 70/1

A good punt at this price. Sullivan is the type of player who can get on a roll. He has a decent group with Oosthuizen beatable in his group.

Also plenty of betting opportunities on groups & individual matches.