With the third round of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championships starting with tee times at 12:35 ET on Friday, here’s a preview of all of the matches in each bracket along with a prediction. After Friday’s matches, the quarterfinals will take place on Saturday, followed by semifinals and the final match on Sunday.
Accenture Match Play Predictions: Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell Look Like Favorites
After two rounds at the Match Play Championships, the field is whittled down to 16 golfers. With Martin Kaymer remaining as the only No. 1 seed, anything can happen in Tucson.
Bobby Jones Bracket:
(8) Nick Watney vs. (12) Ryan Moore: This is really a toss-up. Watney easily beat Anthony Kim in the first round, then edged world No. 1 Lee Westwood in the second round. Moore is coming off a five and four victory over K.J. Choi and won his first match three and one against Francesco Molinari. Both have five birdies through two rounds and Moore has won 12 holes to Watney’s 11. I give Watney a slight advantage because of his recent consistent play. Prediction: Watney
(15) Mateo Manassero vs. (3) Luke Donald: Manassero is the highest-ranked golfer left, however, the round of 16 will be as far as he goes. Donald, who dominated Charley Hoffman in the first round, winning six and five, has the experience that Manassero lacks, giving him the edge going into the third round. Prediction: Donald
Ben Hogan Bracket:
(8) Rickie Fowler vs. (4) Matt Kuchar: Fowler was lights-out in his defeat of Phil Mickelson, going 6-under in a 10 hole stretch. Kuchar beat two opponents he was favored against, and played nicely in those two wins. Having said that, you can't pick against a hot golfer who just took down a No. 1 seed. Prediction: Fowler
(2) Graeme McDowell vs. (11) Y.E. Yang: McDowell's confidence of late is what has made him so intimidating. In his last five starts, he has four top-fives. His play has been stellar since winning the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, and is certainly a front-runner to win this event. McDowell's Ryder Cup play last year shows he can compete with anyone in the most pressured situations. Prediction: McDowell
Gary Player Bracket:
(1) Martin Kaymer vs. (5) Hunter Mahan: It is shocking that Kaymer is the only No. 1 seed left after two rounds. In his last 10 tournaments, he has four wins. Neither has played phenomenally in the first two rounds, however their competition was rather weak. This should be a very tight matchup with Kaymer eking out a last-hole victory. Prediction: Kaymer
(10) Ben Crane vs. (6) Miguel Angel Jimenez: Anyone who dismantles an opponent, like Crane did by beating Rory McIlroy eight and seven on Thursday, gets the benefit of the doubt. After two rounds, Crane has won 13 holes, while losing just one. Jimenez has played very well so far, however, I don't think he will be able to keep up with the way Crane is playing this week. Prediction: Crane
Sam Snead Bracket:
(8) Geoff Ogilvy vs. (5) Bubba Watson: Another great matchup between two very evenly matched golfers. Watson is coming off a six and five victory against Mark Wilson. With the confidence of a big win, Watson will be able to carry that over and stay hot in the third round. Prediction: Watson
(10) Jason Day vs. (6) J.B. Holmes: It’s very difficult to pick against someone who has done what J.B. has over the past few days. Holmes began the week as an alternate, and was called last minute to play. He arrived at the course at 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, with his first round match-up being later that day. Having never played the course and running on little sleep, it would be hard to imagine he could take down Camilo Villegas day one. That’s exactly what he did and a win over Ernie Els put him in the round of sixteen. Holmes’ magical week should continue with a win over Day. Prediction: Holmes
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