Accenture Match Play finals preview: Donald vs. Kaymer

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MARANA, Ariz. -- The World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championshps finals are set. It will be the world's soon-to-be-No. 1 golfer vs. arguably the No. 1 golfer through the first five rounds this week at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.

Germany's Martin Kaymer, who will replace Lee Westwood atop the Official World Golf Rankings on Monday, takes on England's Luke Donald, who would rise to No. 3 in the world should he win on Sunday.

Donald is seeking his third PGA TOUR win, while Kaymer is looking for his second career title after winning the PGA Championship last year at Whistling Straits. Neither player has ever won a WGC event.

The match is scheduled to begin at 2:20 p.m. ET (12:20 p.m. locally). The consolation final between Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar will start 15 minutes earlier.

Here's a look at the Donald-Kaymer matchup:

Opposing arguments

Three reasons why LUKE DONALD will win Sunday 1. He's been the most dominant and consistent performer this week. Despite not being among the TOUR's biggest hitters, he's been able to dial in at Dove Mountain, hitting nearly 70 percent of his fairways and more than 75 percent of his greens. 2. He's well-rested, having played just 73 holes in the first five matches. On Saturday, he won his matches in a combined 5 hours, 56 minutes, compared to Kaymer's 7 hours, 59 minutes. Plus, he's mentally well-rested, having only been pushed in one match (the second round against Edoardo Molinari). In a long week like this, that's a substantial benefit. The only drawback: the final is now 18 holes instead of 36, which would have been even better for Donald. 3. He's got the undulating greens at Dove Mountain figured out. He's made 435 feet worth of putts, and has three of the six longest putts made this week. Kaymer has made 416 feet worth of putts, but he's played 12 more holes. Three reasons why MARTIN KAYMER will win Sunday 1. He's battle-tested. While Donald has had it easy in most of his matches, Kaymer has been forced to grind in his last four matches. He had to go overtime to beat Justin Rose, went 17 holes against Hunter Mahan and went the 18-hole distance in beating Miguel Angel Jimenez and Bubba Watson. Donald has not even played the 18th hole this week. If it's close, Kaymer could have the advantage. 2. He's longer off the tee. Donald estimates that he's going to give up 25 yards to Kaymer. That could pay off on a course that's 7,800 yards long. It may also pay off more if weather becomes an issue and the normally thin desert air turns heavy. 3. There's a reason why he's No. 1 in the world. Kaymer has enjoyed a meteoric rise, having won four European Tour events and the PGA Championship since the start of the 2010 season. Donald won one European Tour event last year but hasn't won a PGA TOUR in five years. Kaymer is used to slamming the door.

Thoughts on the opponent

Here's what Luke Donald says about Martin Kaymer: "He's obviously had a phenomenal couple of years. He's a steady player. He's consistent. He's like me but hits it further."   Here's what Martin Kaymer says about Luke Donald: "I think he's a little bit better on the putter. He's very good in the short game. He's one of the best match play players in the world."

Tale of the Tape

LUKE DONALD This week's numbers MARTIN KAYMER Click here Scorecards Click here 73 Total holes played 85 68 Holes led 49 5 Holes all square 24 0 Holes trailed 12 35 Holes won 29 25 Holes halved 39 13 Holes lost 17 0 Eagles 1 27 Birdies 22 4 Bogeys 8 0 Double bogeys 0 55 of 73 (75.3 percent) Greens in regulation 56 of 85 (65.9 percent) 39 of 56 (69.6 percent) Fairways hit 40 of 66 (60.6 percent) 2 of 3 Sand saves 4 of 7 105 Putts needed 124 292.1 yards Average drive 300.8 yards 15-6 Career Accenture Match Play record 7-3 7 Match Play starts 4

Note: Conceded holes not included in eagles-birdies-bogeys-doubles scoring

Path to the Finals

LUKE DONALD   MARTIN KAYMER Beat Charley Hoffman, 6 and 5 ROUND 1 Beat Seung-yul Noh, 7 and 6 Beat Edoardo Molinari, 2 up ROUND 2 Beat Justin Rose, 20 holes Beat Matteo Manassero, 3 and 2 ROUND 3 Beat Hunter Mahan, 2 and 1 Beat Ryan Moore, 5 and 4 QUARTERFINALS Beat Miguel A. Jimenez, 1 up Beat Matt Kuchar, 6 and 5 SEMIFINALS Beat Bubba Watson, 1 up