The WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain doesn't carry the weight of one of the four majors or the FedEx Cup, but it does have a tinge of that March Madness feel.
Anytime you combine a bracket and sports it ignites a fire under fans that a typical tournament just can't offer. College basketball perfected it and even though match play in golf isn't nearly on the same level, it's still special - and best of all - fun.
Before I get to the picks from the Hurricane Golf staff, let's take a look at the field.
Number 1 Seeds
Bobby Jones Division: Rory McIlroy
Ben Hogan Division: Louis Oosthuizen
Gary Player Division: Tiger Woods
Sam Snead Division: Luke Donald
There's no question Woods and McIlroy are the two standout stars of this match play championship, but if the recent past is any indicator of the future, we know Woods is vulnerable and it's usually a name like Donald or Oosthuizen that casual fans aren't that familiar with who play well. Getting a number one seed may change that this year for them. That being said, as much as I should think better about believing in favorites, I expect big things for Woods and McIlroy this week.
Upset Watch
We're going to see upsets every year in this tournament. Keep an eye on these matchups tomorrow:
Bobby Jones Division: (12) Harrington over (5) McDowell; (11) Day over (6) Johnson
Ben Hogan Division: (12) Jacobson over (5) Els; (15) Choi over (2) Rose
Gary Player Division: (16) Howell III over (1) Woods; (12) Bjorn over (5) Hanson
Sam Snead Division: (13) Stenson over (4) Stricker; (11) Senden over (6) Van Pelt
I'm not saying all of these will happen, but of all the first round match ups, I think most of these have the best shot at happening. I don't think Woods will get bounced by a 16 seed, but you never know at what level Woods is going to play in the first round so I see a small sliver of hope for Howell III. Very small.
The Picks
My Final Four:
Bobby Jones Division: Rory McIlroy
Ben Hogan Division: Bill Haas
Gary Player Division: Tiger Woods
Sam Snead Division: Adam Scott
Championship: McIlroy over Scott
It's sweet victory for Adam Scott and Stevie Williams over Woods, but McIlroy is going to spoil their party.
Hurricane Golf Staff Winning Picks:
Woods - 4, McIlroy - 2, Mahan - 1, Donald - 1, Schwartzel - 1
Looks like we've got a lot of folks on the Woods bandwagon and for the first time in a long time, I'm not the one out front and center making that pick. However, it's a pick that I don't think anyone would be surprised to see win. Same for McIlroy. The Mahan, Donald and Schwartzel pick wouldn't surprise me either and that's what's going to make this match play awesome.
Notable Stats from the Hurricane Golf Staff Brackets: 1 person has Bubba losing in the first round; 3 people have Fowler over Rory in the second round; 2 people have Tiger not making the Elite Eight; nobody has all 1 seeds in the Final Four
Let us know how your brackets are turning out on Twitter @HurricaneGolf.
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Frank Parker
posted on Feb 23, 2013 12:58:20 AM1 Item(s)
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