You thought bracket szn was half over?
We’re just getting started.
The WGC Match play at Austin Country Club is such a treat.
Match Play as a whole is such a treat.
It’s a shame because it’s the most exciting way to watch and play golf.
Every single hole is a game within a game.
Momentum can turn on a dime.
Players take risks they otherwise might not simply because the downside is finite - simply losing one hole.
Truly the end of an era.
WGC’s were left on the chopping block with the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule.
So that was that.
Losing it is a step backwards, not forwards.
Anyways, for a long time this tournament was a 64 man tournament, single elimination bracket.
Starting in 2015, they moved to a round-robin format with 4 golfers broken out into 16 pods.
The difference is 96 total matches versus 63 under the old format, so that’s a major plus.
Win gets you 1 point, Tie gets a half point, and losing gets you zippy.
The player with the most points each pod advances.
You might get a half dozen sudden death matches going around closing time on Friday.
From there it’s a simple knockout phase.
Then golfers 17-32, 33-48, and 49-64 are placed into B, C, and D buckets.
So it’s not like the 1 and the 64 seed are in the same pod.
So it is random and it is fantastic.
How quickly things change.
The two soon-to-be major winners went 6 playoff holes before Scottie beat him with birdie.
Just goes to show how razor thin the margins are at this event.
Every year I’m captivated by it.
My first thought was an event like the Wells Fargo and do match play there every other year.
But that dream is dead.
F’s in the chat.
Anyway, Austin Country Club is a par 71 course measuring 7,108 yards designed by Pete Dye.
His courses are typically 2nd shot golf courses and this one is no different.
That’s where a player fitting Kevin Kisner’s profile thrives.
Especially when it comes to the pressure-packed nature of match play golf.
Another area where this course is very firm is actually the fairways.
Wild way to finish a match.
Perfect time for a risk/reward hole.
That could force a decision on your opponent for better or worse.
Thunderstorms left and right.
The Trophy
Shoutout to Nash for displaying this beautiful looking trophy.
This right here is the Walter Hagen Cup.
She’s a beauty.
Love the clayish matte-like finish, love the variety in colors and designs… love everything about these trophies.
Needless to say I think these trophies are sweet.
I love the color of the Walter Hagen Cup and I’m gonna give it an8.8/10.
Don’t really gotta dissect that one any further.
As for outrights, these things are typically tough to cap.
There’s a very real chance Matt Fitzpatrick was that guy last year.
Plus this is just a great field.
Also went on an all-time heater during group play matches, going 12-1-2.
I actually have a +4000 future on him at Augusta as well.
Bit of a sleeper here.
Si Woo Kim Group 8 Winner +275- Remember Si Woo taking down JT last fall at Quail Hollow?
Si Woo is also a proven Pete Dye savant.
Brian Harman Group 4 Winner +300- Harman is a dogggg.
Lil guy can putt the lights out and punch way above his weight.
Taking out Cantlay would help your Seamus Power quarterfinal ticket too.
Denny McCarthy Group 3 Winner +300- You thought I wouldn’t go back to the well on Denny?
Same as Harman with the flatstick.
Plus Rory is 2 for 5 on advancing here, and skipped this event last year.
3 last things before we get out of here, each of them being key storylines worth watching.
He drew Jon Rahm’s group.
I’ll be rooting for him, but woof.
Kevin Kisner comes into this event every single year in mediocre form and every single year he shows out.
He’s been in the championship match 3 of the last 4 years, winning it once.
Absurd stuff that defies the odds.
With that said, he’s NOT in mediocre form.
He’s in DISASTROUS form.
He’s averaged 74.9 in those rounds.
The Match Play Man will be back at it again, tweeting picks over @BarstoolBanks each day.
Hit thatfollow buttonand let’s ride.
