World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play group draw preview
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AUSTIN, Texas -- Now it's time to tee it up. The bracket was revealed Monday for the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. The 64 players were divided into 16 groups via draw process.
Click here to print your bracket. Fans can also begin filling out brackets on PGATOUR.COM until Wednesday when the first tee shot is struck at Austin Country Club to start the Group Stage of the competition.
Following three rounds of the Group Stage Wednesday through Friday, the 16 Group winners will advance to the sudden-death stage starting Saturday morning. The Championship Final will be played Sunday morning.
Below are the results of the draw, as well as the matchups for each round and a quick analysis from our experts posted throughout the night. Each player below is listed by his seed, with his WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play career record in parentheses.
Group 1
1. DUSTIN JOHNSON (14-12) – Making his 11th appearance and his third straight as the top seed. Won the Championship in 2017, beating Jon Rahm 1 up.24. HIDEKI MATSUYAMA (7-7-1) – Has failed to come out of group play since 2015 where he was beaten in the final 16 by eventual champion Rory McIlroy.40. BRANDEN GRACE (6-8-1) – Has only advanced past Group Stage once in his last four starts in this event (2015 when he lost to Tommy Fleetwood in the Round of 16).55. CHEZ REAVIE (1-1-1) – Debutant last year took down Jon Rahm but still couldn’t get out of his group.
Wednesday: Johnson vs. Reavie; Matsuyama vs. GraceThursday: Johnson vs. Grace; Matsuyama vs. ReavieFriday: Johnson vs. Matsuyama; Grace vs. Reavie
EXPERT PICK: Johnson will only break into a sweat once -- against a tenacious Grace on Thursday -- but will move on. -- Ben Everill
Group 2
2. JUSTIN ROSE (10-11-1) – Returns after two-year absence for 12th start in event. Quarterfinals back in 2007 remains best result.22. GARY WOODLAND (8-6-1) – Was the runner-up in 2015 to Rory McIlroy when the event was at Harding Park but has failed to get out of the group stage in two tries at Austin CC.34. EDDIE PEPPERELL (0-0) – Making his first Match Play appearance.53. EMILIANO GRILLO (1-4-1) – Won his first career Match Play match in 2016, and hasn’t won since then.
Wednesday: Rose vs. Grillo; Woodland vs. PepperellThursday: Rose vs. Pepperell; Woodland vs. GrilloFriday: Rose vs. Woodland; Pepperell vs. Grillo
EXPERT PICK: Pepperell is playing well, and Woodland has made the finals before losing to Rory McIlroy, but Rose isn't the reigning FedExCup champ for nothing and emerges from this group. -- Cameron Morfit
Group 3
3. BROOKS KOEPKA (8-4) – Returns after a year off. Quarterfinalist in 2016, final 16 in 2017 before wrist injury kept him out in 2018.27. ALEX NOREN (11-4-0) – Third place last year and a quarterfinalist the year before. Has 10-2 record at Austin CC.36. HAO TONG LI (0-3-0) – China’s great hope drew a tough group last year and was wiped out without making it to the 17th tee in any match.60. TOM LEWIS (0-0) – Making first Match Play appearance.
Wednesday: Koepka vs. Lewis; Noren vs. LiThursday: Koepka vs. Li; Noren vs. LewisFriday: Koepka vs. Noren; Li vs. Lewis
EXPERT PICK: While Alex Noren has a great record at Austin CC, Brooks Koepka will out muscle him in winner take all Friday match. - Ben Everill
Group 4
4. RORY MCILROY (24-11-2) – Recently crowned PLAYERS Champion was runner-up in 2012, won in 2015, was a semifinalist in 2016 ... but failed to get out of Group Play the last two seasons.32. MATTHEW FITZPATRICK (4-5-0) – Has played in all three Match Play events in Austin but failed to get past the Group Stage.47. JUSTIN HARDING (0-0) – The South African is making his first Match Play appearance.64. LUKE LIST (0-3-0) – Last man into the field needs mighty improvement on last year where he was whitewashed.
Wednesday: McIlroy vs. List; Fitzpatrick vs. HardingThursday: McIlroy vs. Harding; Fitzpatrick vs. ListFriday: McIlroy vs Fitzpatrick; Harding vs. List
EXPERT PICK: At this point it would be certifiably crazy to pick against McIlroy, who is still basking in the glow of his PLAYERS victory. - Cameron Morfit
Group 5
5. JUSTIN THOMAS ( 6-7-0) – After two uninspiring starts, found his groove last year to make it to the semifinals before losing to the eventual champion Bubba Watson.31. KEEGAN BRADLEY (1-7-2) – Won his first-ever match in his event in 2012, beating Geoff Ogilvy, and hasn’t won since then.33. MATT WALLACE (0-0) – Making first Match Play appearance.50. LUCAS BJERREGAARD (0-0) – Making first Match Play appearance.
Wednesday: Thomas vs. Bjerregaard; Bradley vs. WallaceThursday: Thomas vs. Wallace; Bradley vs. BjerregaardFriday: Thomas vs. Bradley; Wallace vs. Bjerregaard
EXPERT PICK: Thomas should walk this one in against two WGC Match Play rookies. And he gets Bradley in his third round, where his scoring average has plummeted this season. -- Ben Everill
Group 6
6. BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU (0-0) – Making his first Match Play start.17. MARC LEISHMAN (5-8-2) – Made it to final 16 twice in five previous tries.39. KIRADECH APHIBARNRAT (6-3-0) – Reached the Quarterfinals last year, losing to Bubba Watson 5 and 3.59. RUSSELL KNOX (2-3-1) – Hoping for third time lucky after failing to get out of group stage on previous two attempts.
Wednesday: DeChambeau vs. Knox; Leishman vs. AphibarnratThursday: DeChambeau vs. Aphibarnrat; Leishman vs. KnoxFriday: DeChambeau vs. Leishman; Alphibarnrat vs. Knox
EXPERT PICK: This will be DeChambeau's first look at Austin CC, but it's hard to bet against the former U.S. Amateur champ. - Cameron Morfit
Group 7
7. FRANCESCO MOLINARI (4-11-0) – The reigning Open Champion has never come out of the Group Stage so will look to his 5-0 Ryder Cup heroics for inspiration.21. WEBB SIMPSON (8-8-1) – Quarterfinalist in 2013 but hasn’t come out of group play since it began in 2015.45. THORBJORN OLESEN (2-4-0) – Returns for first time since 2016 where he failed to get out of the group stage.63. SATOSHI KODAIRA (0-3-0) – Battled hard on debut last season but lost all three matches.
Wednesday: Molinari vs. Kodaira; Simpson vs. OlesenThursday: Molinari vs. Olesen; Simpson vs. KodairaFriday: Molinari vs. Simpson; Olesen vs. Kodaira
EXPERT PICK: Going off the last 10 months or so you have to slate Molinari as the Italian stallion to come out of this quartet. - Ben Everill
Group 8
8. JON RAHM (6-3-1) – Reached the Championship match on debut in 2017, only to be bested by Dustin Johnson. Failed to win a group match last year.23. MATT KUCHAR (24-9-3) – The 2013 champion also made the final four in 2011 and the quarterfinals in 2012.43. J.B. HOLMES (6-7-2) – Advanced past Group Stage once – in 2015, when he lost to Jim Furyk in the Round of 16.54. SI WOO KIM (3-2-2) – Advanced to the Round of 16 last year, losing to Justin Thomas 6 and 5.
Wednesday: Rahm vs. Kim; Kuchar vs. HolmesThursday: Rahm vs. Holmes; Kuchar vs. KimFriday: Rahm vs. Kuchar; Holmes vs. Kim
EXPERT PICK: Gotta go with Rahm, who had THE PLAYERS in his hands through three rounds and was a finalist here two years ago. - Cameron Morfit
Group 9
9. XANDER SCHAUFFELE (2-1-0) – Taken out by loss to Sergio Garcia on debut last year after winning first two starts. Has multiple TOUR wins since.29. RAFA CABRERA BELLO (9-6-1) – Reached the Semifinals in 2016 but hasn’t advanced past the Group Stage in the last two years.35. TYRRELL HATTON (4-3-0) – Won a Group stage tiebreaker last year against Brendan Steele before losing to Cameron Smith in the Round of 16.62. LEE WESTWOOD (17-19) – Match Play veteran in his 18th start at the event. Was a semifinalist in 2012.
Wednesday: Schauffele vs. Westwood; Cabrera Bello vs. HattonThursday: Schauffele vs. Hatton; Cabrera Bello vs. WestwoodFriday: Schauffele vs. Cabrera Bello; Hatton vs. Westwood
EXPERT PICK: Expect a playoff out of this group with Schauffele digging deep to find his early season form to advance. - Ben Everill
Group 10
10. PAUL CASEY (25-14-1) – Sunday’s winner of the Valspar Championship lost in the finals in 2009 (to Geoff Ogilvy) and 2010 (to Ian Poulter). Advanced to Sweet 16 in 2017.25. CAMERON SMITH (3-1-1) – Quarterfinalist on debut last year. Match Play guru as a junior in Australia.42. CHARLES HOWELL III (10-11-0) – Has reached the Round of 16 in each of the past two years, losing to Jon Rahm in 2017 and Kiradech Aphibarnat in 2018.58. ABRAHAM ANCER (0-0) – Making first Match Play appearance.
Wednesday: Casey vs. Ancer; Smith vs. HowellThursday: Casey vs. Howell; Smith vs. AncerFriday: Casey vs. Smith; Howell vs. Ancer
EXPERT PICK: Unless he's gassed from Valspar, Casey, with one of the best Match Play records in the field, is a solid bet. -- Cameron Morfit
Group 11
11. TOMMY FLEETWOOD (6-5-0) – In three previous starts, he advanced past the Group Stage just once, in 2015 when he lost to fellow Englishman Danny Willett in the Quarterfinals.19. LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN (19-10-0) – Runner up at Austin CC to Jason Day in 2016. Quarterfinalist two other occasions.41. KYLE STANLEY (4-3-0) – In just his second Match Play appearance, and first in six years, Stanley made it to the quarterfinals last year.49. BYEONG-HUN AN (1-4-2) – Won Group Stage in 2016 but conceded Sweet 16 match to Rafa Cabrera-Bello after suffering a neck injury.
Wednesday: Fleetwood vs. An; Oosthuizen vs. StanleyThursday: Fleetwood vs. Stanley; Oosthuizen vs. AnFriday: Fleetwood vs. Oosthuizen; Stanley vs. An
EXPERT PICK: The Friday match between Fleetwood and Oosthuizen should be a winner-take-all. Slight lean towards the Englishman. - Ben Everill
Group 12
12. JASON DAY (22-11-0) – Won the championship in in 2014 (in Arizona) and 2016 when Austin first hosted the Match Play.20. PHIL MICKELSON (24-14-0) – In his 15th appearance at the event but best results are twice being a quarterfinalist.37. HENRIK STENSON (14-9) – Former champion (2007) and third place finisher (2008) returns for the first time since 2015. First crack at Austin CC.52. JIM FURYK (19-18-1) – Making his 18th Match Play start; best result was in 2015 when e lost to Rory McIlroy in the Semifinals.
Wednesday: Day vs. Furyk; Mickelson vs. StensonThursday: Day vs. Stenson; Mickelson vs. FurykFriday: Day vs. Mickelson; Stenson vs. Furyk
EXPERT PICK: Yep, Austin is good for big hitters, but Kevin Kisner made the final last year and the 48-year-old Furyk will surprise by coming out of this group of bombers. -- Cameron Morfit
Group 13
13. TIGER WOODS (33-10) – Match Play champion in 2003, 2004 and 2008. Last start in this event was 2013, so he’s never played at Austin CC or in this Group Play format.18. PATRICK CANTLAY (2-1-0) – Lost to Cameron Smith in his opener last year before winning his next two matches.44. BRANDT SNEDEKER (7-8-1) – Returns after a year off from the event. Has only come out of Group stage once in last three tries.61. AARON WISE (0-0) – Making first Match Play appearance.
Wednesday: Woods vs. Wise; Cantlay vs. SnedekerThursday: Woods vs. Snedeker; Cantlay vs. WiseFriday: Woods vs. Cantlay; Snedeker vs. Wise
EXPERT PICK: The danger match for Woods comes out of the gate against Wise. Win that and momentum takes him to Saturday. -- Ben Everill
Group 14
14. TONY FINAU (2-1-0) – Won his first two matches last year before losing to Group winner Alex Noren.30. IAN POULTER (27-15-0) – The match play maestro is in his 14th appearance. Won the tournament in 2010, made the final four two other times and was a quarterfinalist last year.48. KEVIN KISNER (8-4-1) – Reached the Championship last year, losing to Bubba Watson 7 and 6.56. KEITH MITCHELL (0-0) – Making his first Match Play appearance.
Wednesday: Finau vs. Mitchell; Poulter vs. KisnerThursday: Finau vs. Kisner; Poulter vs. MitchellFriday: Finau vs. Poulter; Kisner vs. Mitchell
EXPERT PICK: Ian Poulter has been playing well for a while now, and as one of eight former champions in the field, he's too dangerous to overlook. -- Cameron Morfit
Group 15
15. BUBBA WATSON (20-8-3) – Defending champion was also semi-finalist in 2011. Beat Kevin Kisner 7 and 6 in final last year.28. JORDAN SPIETH (11-5-1) – Quarterfinalist on debut in 2014 but has only come out of group stage once in last four years.38. BILLY HORSCHEL (4-4) – Hasn’t advance past Group Stage in his two appearances since the new format was introduced.57. KEVIN NA (5-8-2) – Come out of Group Play just once (2017) in last four years – via a tiebreaker – only to lose at next hurdle.
Wednesday: Watson vs. Na; Spieth vs. HorschelThursday: Watson vs. Horschel; Spieth vs. NaFriday: Watson vs. Spieth; Horschel vs. Na
EXPERT PICK: You want to give Spieth some love in Texas, but you just can’t given his game right now. Bubba to advance. -- Ben Everill
Group 16
16. PATRICK REED (9-6-1) – Captain America has won his group twice in last four years, only to lose at next hurdle.26. SERGIO GARCIA (22-18-1) – Making his 17th Match Play start, his best run was in 2010 when he reached the Semifinals.46. SHANE LOWRY (3-7-2) – After being the upset winner over top seed Rory McIlroy back in 2013 has struggled. Failed to get out of Group Play in three previous tries.51. ANDREW PUTNAM (0-0) – Making first Match Play appearance.
Wednesday: Reed vs. Putnam; Garcia vs. LowryThursday: Reed vs. Lowry; Garcia vs. PutnamFriday: Reed vs. Garcia; Lowry vs. Putnam
EXPERT PICK: Reed isn't the only match play lover here; Lowry, who tends to fly under the radar, comes out of this group. -- Cameron Morfit