Feb. 20, 2012
By Mike McAllister, PGATOUR.COM
The brackets for the 2012 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship were released on Monday. Here's a look inside the Sam Snead bracket.
MORE BRACKET PREVIEWS: Bobby Jones bracket | Ben Hogan bracket | Gary Player bracket
PRINTABLE BRACKET: Download the PDF file
| Snead preview |
| BRACKET BREAKDOWN |
| The focus, of course, will be on three-time Match Player winner Tiger Woods, who is the fifth seed in this bracket. Frankly, though, this bracket seems wide open. Of the top three seeds, Lee Westwood has struggled in this event, Webb Simpson has never played in it, and Bill Haas has just one first-round loss (and must refocus after winning the Northern Trust Open). Nine countries are represented in this bracket, including young starts Ryo Ishikawa of Japan and Matteo Manassero of Italy. |
|
| BEST FIRST-ROUND MATCH |
| Call it the Swedish Showdown -- eighth-seeded Robert Karlsson vs. ninth-seeded Fredrik Jacobson. The Scientist vs. the Junk Man. Given their spotty Match Play records, it's difficult to expect either one to have a lengthy stay this week, but this match is certainly Ikea-worthy. |
|
| POTENTIAL SECOND-ROUND MATCH |
| Tiger Woods has reached the finals in this event four times; he's won three of them. His only loss? A 4 and 3 decision to Darren Clarke in 2000. If Tiger can get past Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Clarke can upset Nick Watney, they'll see each other again on Thursday. |
|
| GETTING AHEAD OF OURSELVES |
| If you're a fan of European power, then you'll want to see Alvaro Quiros play Nicolas Colsaerts; both are among the biggest hitters on the European Tour. And if you're followed the FedExCup last year, you know that Bill Haas and Webb Simpson finished 1-2 in the standings and could meet here in the third round. |
|
| BEST DOUBLE-DIGIT SEEDED SLEEPER |
| Clarke, the 13th seed, obviously knows how to win these kinds of events. But don't underestimate 10th-seeded Martin Laird, who makes his home in Scottsdale and should know how to play desert courses. |
|
| Snead seeds |
| 1 |
3 |
Lee
WESTWOOD |
 |
Westwood summed it up best about his AMPC track record: "I would love to know what the Friday is like playing there." |
| Match Play appearances: 11 | Record: 7-11 | Best result: Second round (multiple) |
|
| 2 |
6 |
Webb
SIMPSON |
 |
Two top-10s in first three starts this year; ranks fourth on TOUR in greens in regulation |
| Match Play appearances: Making first start |
|
| 3 |
12 |
Bill
HAAS |
 |
The reigning FedExCup champion comes off a thrilling playoff victory at the Northern Trust Open |
| Match Play appearances: 1 | Record: 0-1 | Best result: First round (2011) |
|
| 4 |
13 |
Nick
WATNEY |
 |
Has made four starts this year on TOUR and is still looking for his first top-10 finish |
| Match Play appearances: 2 | Record: 4-2 | Best result: Third round (multiple) |
|
| 5 |
20 |
Tiger
WOODS |
 |
In his two starts since winning his third Match Play title in 2008, he's won just one match |
| Match Play appearances: 11 | Record: 32-8 | Best result: Winner (2003, 2004, 2008) |
|
| 6 |
23 |
Justin
ROSE |
 |
Englishmen on TOUR have won the last two Match Play titles; could Rose make it three straight? |
| Match Play appearances: 6 | Record: 5-6 | Best result: Quarterfinals (2007) |
|
| 7 |
29 |
Alvaro
QUIROS |
 |
Still waiting for the big-driving Spaniard to post his first match win in this event |
| Match Play appearances: 3 | Record: 0-3 | Best result: First round (multiple) |
|
| 8 |
32 |
Robert
KARLSSON |
 |
The Swede has just one round in the 60s in his last 10 on the European Tour this year |
| Match Play appearances: 6 | Record: 2-6 | Best result: Second round (multiple) |
|
| 9 |
37 |
Fredrik
JACOBSON |
 |
Thanks in large part to his first PGA TOUR win last year, the Swede's making his first start since 2005 |
| Match Play appearances: 2 | Record: 2-2 | Best result: Third round (2004) |
|
| 10 |
40 |
Martin
LAIRD |
 |
Since playing second in PGA TOUR season opener at Kapalua, his results have gotten progressively worse. |
| Match Play appearances: 1 | Record: 0-1 | Best result: First round |
|
| 11 |
45 |
Paul
LAWRIE |
 |
The 1999 British Open champ is making just his second start in a World Golf Championships event since 2003 |
| Match Play appearances: 4 | Record: 4-5 | Best result: Quarterfinals (2000) |
|
| 12 |
48 |
Gonzalo
FERNANDEZ-CASTANO |
 |
Had a hot stretch late in 2011 European Tour, including a win at the Barclays Singapore Open |
| Match Play appearances: Making first start |
|
| 13 |
53 |
Darren
CLARKE |
 |
Nice to see the 2000 Match Play champ back after four-year absence; it helps to win a British Open |
| Match Play appearances: 8 | Record: 14-7 | Best result: Win (2007) |
|
| 14 |
56 |
Ryo
ISHIKAWA |
 |
He's just 20 years old, but this will be his eighth start in an WGC event, with a T4 at Bridgestone his best finish |
| Match Play appearances: 2 | Record: 2-2 | Best result: Third round (2010) |
|
| 15 |
61 |
Matteo
MANASSERO |
 |
He doesn't turn 19 until April, but he already has two career wins on the European Tour. He beat Stricker and Schwartzel last year |
| Match Play appearances: 1 | Record: 2-1 | Best result: Third round (2011) |
|
| 16 |
64 |
Nicolas
COLSAERTS |
 |
The basher from Belgium ranks second on the European Tour in driving distance. |
| Match Play appearances: Making first start |
| |
|
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