PGA Tour 2023 - WGC Match Play

[Splatt]

G’day Golfers,

I feel like we’ve been spoiled for golf so far this season. We’ve had these elevated events that have felt like mini-majors and we’ve had other events that have given us serious bang for our buck. Spieth and Fleetwood being in the chase last week only to be beaten by Taylor Moore who wasn’t really in the conversation pre-final round, prove my point.

Golfers, this week the PGA tour is split; we have the Corales Puntacana Championship and the WGC Match Play. I’m going to be concentrating on the WGC Match Play as that is where the most interesting players are.

So far this year, we’ve had event after event of stroke play and I’m sick of it. Luckily this week we have a match-play event 

For anyone who doesn’t know what match-play is it’s when a player wins a hole against his opponent if he records a lower score on that hole.
A match is decided when a player is up more holes than holes are remaining in the 18-hole match.
However, most of us here would be VERY familiar with match-play.

This match-play event has an earlier start than most PGA Tour events because the first three days are dedicated to round-robin match play, with the 64-player field split into 16 groups of four and only the winner of each group then progressing to the knockout stages.
If there's a tie at the top of the group, then a sudden-death play-off between those involved will determine who progresses through to the weekend.
It's a really interesting format that I wished the PGA Tour did more.

The WGC Match-Play is played at the Austin Country Club, a par 71, 7,108 yards course.
The Pete Dye design has seen an eclectic mix of champions in its tenure as host from long-bombers to short-game wizards (such is the beauty of match-play).
This is the seventh year Austin Country Club has hosted the WGC-Match Play and there may be a slightly different look for 2023 as a February ice storm damaged more than 1,200 trees on the property (Credit: PGA Tour)

 

Field Highlights

·         The Big Three – Rahm, Scheffler, and McIlroy are all teeing it up for this event.That’s your world ranking number 1 (Scheffler), 2 (Rahm), and 3 (McIlroy) all playing in the same event, AGAIN. That’s how good the designated events have been, these three have already been in the same field multiple times. For this weekend, depending on how the brackets go, let hope for some proper head to heads.

·         Patrick Cantley – The tool man himself. Cantlay has patched together a couple of decent results so far this season with a T-4 at Arnold Palmer, a solo 3rd at The Genesis, and a T-2 at The Shriners Children Open in the fall. Cantlay is as steady as a level and I’m sure he’ll hammer the competition and end up on top soon this season.

·         Max Homa – With 2 wins already under his belt this season, it really feels like Max is only just getting started this season. He’s played 9 events this season, made all 9 cuts, won 2, and finished runner-up in 1. He’s had a dream start to the season and long may it continue.

·         Collin Morikawa – Morikawa has been close all season to a win. Superior ball striking has kept him in the conversation, but his putting and driving and been letting him down. If everything is firing this event then there’s no reason he can’t take it home.

 

Golfers, that’s it from me. This week the Pick ‘Em is for the Corales Puntacana Championship, so it’s a good chance to use some picks on players that aren’t normally in the roster.

As far as the WGC Match Play goes, I have it on good authority (my own gut) that Max Homa is going to win. If he does, I think it would be good karma for him to become an MGS Forum member.

 

For those in the Pick ‘Em competition, good luck, and may your pick make the cut,

 

Regards,

Splatt

 

[Triple_Putt]

Very much looking forward to a match play event this week.  Last weekend was good but its tough to be the event following The Players... 

[Jnoble89]

Rickie Fowler is playing some great golf today! 2 up on Rahm which I did not see coming. Love the match play events!

[Splatt]

Man, this tournament is interesting already. 

• Fowler beat Rahm
• Rory dominating
• Ryan Fox having a win
• Min Woo winning (I know, I'm a fan boy)
• Spieth winning
• Cameron Young's all 3 front nine

Also, how good have the drone shots been?

Today I'm very excited to watch Fowler V Horschel. That's a match for the ages

[GolfSpy_APH]

Can't believe I missed this post!

Yeah I watched a few of the round highlights this morning. Could be a lot of fun and hope that it will make for some close matches till the very end!

[GolfSpy BOS]

RICKIE! RICKIE! RICKIE!

 

I heard there's a chance he can get into Augusta depending on his performance this week.  If he makes it to the quarter finals he should be in the top 50 and get an invite to the Masters.

After beating Rahm yesterday I'm pulling for him! 

[richk9holes]

The more top class players playing at the top of their game headed into Augusta, the better. Should make for some great viewing.

[Jnoble89]

2 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BOS said:

RICKIE! RICKIE! RICKIE!

 

I heard there's a chance he can get into Augusta depending on his performance this week.  If he makes it to the quarter finals he should be in the top 50 and get an invite to the Masters.

After beating Rahm yesterday I'm pulling for him! 

Same! It’s great to see him performing at a strong level again 

[GolfSpy BOS]

2 minutes ago, Jnoble89 said:

Same! It’s great to see him performing at a strong level again 

I take full credit.  I didn't draft him in fantasy golf this year. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 minute ago, GolfSpy_BOS said:

I take full credit.  I didn't draft him in fantasy golf this year. 

I traded for him!

[US_Navy_Retired]

Buddies and I just played Austin CC on the simulator and holy crap that place is tough 

[KenBender]

It’s a really good PGA weekend, the WGC Mp is exciting because it proves anyone of the top 60+ golfers can win at anytime. And the Corales Puntacana with its lesser known tour pros both seasoned and rookie is helping me to find new players to root for now that I’m not following the players who left the PGA to play on the LIV tour. 

Edited March 23 by KenBender

[Rickp]

On 3/22/2023 at 9:05 AM, Splatt said:

G’day Golfers,

I feel like we’ve been spoiled for golf so far this season. We’ve had these elevated events that have felt like mini-majors and we’ve had other events that have given us serious bang for our buck. Spieth and Fleetwood being in the chase last week only to be beaten by Taylor Moore who wasn’t really in the conversation pre-final round, prove my point.

Golfers, this week the PGA tour is split; we have the Corales Puntacana Championship and the WGC Match Play. I’m going to be concentrating on the WGC Match Play as that is where the most interesting players are.

So far this year, we’ve had event after event of stroke play and I’m sick of it. Luckily this week we have a match-play event 

For anyone who doesn’t know what match-play is it’s when a player wins a hole against his opponent if he records a lower score on that hole.
A match is decided when a player is up more holes than holes are remaining in the 18-hole match.
However, most of us here would be VERY familiar with match-play.

This match-play event has an earlier start than most PGA Tour events because the first three days are dedicated to round-robin match play, with the 64-player field split into 16 groups of four and only the winner of each group then progressing to the knockout stages.
If there's a tie at the top of the group, then a sudden-death play-off between those involved will determine who progresses through to the weekend.
It's a really interesting format that I wished the PGA Tour did more.

The WGC Match-Play is played at the Austin Country Club, a par 71, 7,108 yards course.
The Pete Dye design has seen an eclectic mix of champions in its tenure as host from long-bombers to short-game wizards (such is the beauty of match-play).
This is the seventh year Austin Country Club has hosted the WGC-Match Play and there may be a slightly different look for 2023 as a February ice storm damaged more than 1,200 trees on the property (Credit: PGA Tour)

 

Field Highlights

·         The Big Three – Rahm, Scheffler, and McIlroy are all teeing it up for this event.That’s your world ranking number 1 (Scheffler), 2 (Rahm), and 3 (McIlroy) all playing in the same event, AGAIN. That’s how good the designated events have been, these three have already been in the same field multiple times. For this weekend, depending on how the brackets go, let hope for some proper head to heads.

·         Patrick Cantley – The tool man himself. Cantlay has patched together a couple of decent results so far this season with a T-4 at Arnold Palmer, a solo 3rd at The Genesis, and a T-2 at The Shriners Children Open in the fall. Cantlay is as steady as a level and I’m sure he’ll hammer the competition and end up on top soon this season.

·         Max Homa – With 2 wins already under his belt this season, it really feels like Max is only just getting started this season. He’s played 9 events this season, made all 9 cuts, won 2, and finished runner-up in 1. He’s had a dream start to the season and long may it continue.

·         Collin Morikawa – Morikawa has been close all season to a win. Superior ball striking has kept him in the conversation, but his putting and driving and been letting him down. If everything is firing this event then there’s no reason he can’t take it home.

 

Golfers, that’s it from me. This week the Pick ‘Em is for the Corales Puntacana Championship, so it’s a good chance to use some picks on players that aren’t normally in the roster.

As far as the WGC Match Play goes, I have it on good authority (my own gut) that Max Homa is going to win. If he does, I think it would be good karma for him to become an MGS Forum member.

 

For those in the Pick ‘Em competition, good luck, and may your pick make the cut,

 

Regards,

Splatt

 

Long week of golf.  Match up lay is always interesting.

[Splatt]

Rory is having a better time with his driver this week

[Rickp]

2 hours ago, Splatt said:

Rory is having a better time with his driver this week

Just saw that Highlight on ESPN!

[Splatt]

20 minutes ago, Rickp said:

Just saw that Highlight on ESPN!

Gotta be one of the best drives of all time, right?

[cnosil]

4 hours ago, Splatt said:

Rory is having a better time with his driver this week

Roll back the ball!!!!!  Oh wait, wrong thread

[GolfSpy_APH]

4 hours ago, Splatt said:

Rory is having a better time with his driver this week

Apparently went a half inch shorter in length. 

[ZackS]

5 hours ago, Splatt said:

Rory is having a better time with his driver this week

I had always thought I created pretty good speed for someone my size then Rory comes out and tour

[Colin K]

Hoping Rick can somehow slide into Sat