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Punters have always had mixed feelings about the World Golf Championship Dell Technologies Match Play – much like the elite players, in fact. On the one hand, there is a certain thrill to be had in watching the world’s finest golfers make a rare foray into the head-to-head format of the game. On the other hand, everyone gets frustrated that a few bad holes can ruin a week – irritating for the player and also the punters who have backed him. When seeking a solution to the threat of a golfer not even completing one round of golf before being eliminated organisers have turned to a first round group stage. It was a classic fudge, solving some problems and creating others (dead rubbers, flat action, etc.). After this week’s action the puzzled frowns will be no more because this is the last renewal of the event that has spent the last six years in the hipster city of Austin, Texas. The layout at Austin Country Club has probably proved the most popular of all the venues for the championship. A Pete Dye design, it has plenty of risk and reward, lots of variety and is visually fun for TV viewers, with matches tending to come to a head in the holes set against the backdrop of the Colorado River and the Pennybacker Bridge. It has also produced set of winners (and semi finalists) with different profiles. 2016 winner Jason Day, his successor Dustin Johnson and the defending champion Scottie Scheffler represent very modern golfers, in 2018 Bubba Watson claimed success for the creative types, Kevin Kisner in 2019 landed a blow for short-hitters, and in 2021 Billy Horschel flew home on a wet sail of good form.
Angles to consider 1/ Pete Dye Day, Johnson, Watson and Horschel had each already won on Dye designs, Kisner had been runner-up at Austin and a play-off loser at TPC Sawgrass, Scheffler had also been already made the final at the course (and has since won at Sawgrass). 2/ Texas A factor often noted every time the circuit heads to the Lone State State and with good reason because winners in it have often proved themselves before. Day, Kisner and Horschel had all won in Texas, Watson and Scheffler had been second, Johnson had been third. 3/ Match play form It’s maybe not essential to have excelled in a match play event but it might pay to avoid players who have consistently performed quite poorly in the format. 4/ Form Day arrived fresh from a win at Bay Hill, Johnson’s victory was his third in a row, Watson had won at Riviera, Horschel had been second in the WGC Workday Championship and Scheffler had won twice in the calendar year. Kisner – something a course specialist lack sparkling form but he had been third after 54 holes at Bay Hill and in the top 10 after 36 holes at Sawgrass.
Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. Jon Rahm Twice a winner at PGA West which utilises a Dye design and also second on the course, eighth at Dye's Kiawah Island and ninth at Sawgrass. He’s also been second and fifth at Colonial so his Texas form is solid. Hot golfers thrive here and he’s landed five wins in his last 10 starts. He might also be a little eager to make up for lost time after illness forced an early withdrawal at Sawgrass. Tyrrell Hatton He’s got third place at Dye’s Harbour Town in his record book and he was also second at TPC Sawgrass two weeks ago, a fifth top seven finish in his last seven starts. He’s also made the knockout stages here in three of his five visits and won three of four matches in the 2015 Paul Lawrie Match Play. Chris Kirk Form? He’s a winner this year at the Honda Classic (and he’s also twice been third). Texas form? A winner at Colonial. Pete Dye? A top 10 at Harbour Town and he’s twice flirted with the lead at Sawgrass. Course and match play experience? He made the last eight in his only previous start at Austin.
Tips: 0-3; -6.00pts 2pts win Jon Rahm at 11/1 (Unibet, Coral) 31st 1.25pt e.w. Tyrrell Hatton at 22/1 (Paddy Power BF Sportsbook 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) 59th 0.75pt e.w. Chris Kirk at 66/1 (Paddy Power BF Sportsbook 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) 52nd
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