The Wednesday of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play might not be the cutthroat day it was before the format change but it remains one of the better days on the golfing calendar as the 64 best players in the world attending the tournament tackle each other over 18 holes of relentless match play golf.
There isn’t the do or die element which made this opening day what it once was but with only the group winners progressing to the knockout stages getting an opening win is important for a player to remain in control of their own destiny.
On the opening day of action we’ve got some real juicy match ups. Rory McIlroy goes up against Soren Kjeldsen while Jason Day begins his title defence against Pat Perez. Number one seed Dustin Johnson faces Webb Simpson and Jordan Spieth meets Hideto Tanihara. Those are the headline matches but we like bets in three others.
Thomas Pieters vs Scott Piercy
Match tees off at 16.09 GMT.
I’ve already backed Thomas Pieters outright but I can’t ignore going in again in his opening match against a Scott Piercy who I don’t see having an advantage over the Belgian anywhere. Pieters matches Piercy in distance but his iron play and short game is so much better and they are important facets around this golf course. Add in the steely determination to succeed of the Belgian and at almost even money I think he is a great bet.
Patrick Reed vs Jason Dufner
Match tees off at 16.42 GMT.
America’s Ryder Cup hero Patrick Reed will look to get off to a quick start against a solid if unspectacular Jason Dufner and I expect Reed to win this one. He is very much like Ian Poulter in that he relishes man on man competition and his game is well served to it as we saw here last year when he touched off Phil Mickelson, Daniel Berger and Matt Fitzpatrick here. You always worry about whether Jason Dufner will make enough putts to be competitive with the elite in this format. That isn’t a concern with Reed. He loves the format and can open up with a win.
Danny Willett vs K-T.Kim
Match tees off at 18.10 GMT.
The pressure and focus is beginning to intensify around Danny Willett ahead of his defence at The Masters in two weeks time but his form is nothing like it was 12 months ago and I think he is vulnerable here. There is talk he is unwell as well which isn’t ideal. K-T.Kim might not be the biggest name in the world but he’s solid down in Asia and in team play events he has competed in he has seen off Webb Simpson and Bernd Wiesberger in singles play which are decent form lines. If he can put a solid round together it might well be enough to see off the Masters champion.
Tips
WON – Back T.Pieters to beat S.Piercy for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with Betfred
Back him here:
Back P.Reed to beat J.Dufner for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Betbright
Back him here:
WON – Back K-T.Kim to beat D.Willett for a 3/10 stake at 2.88 with Paddy Power
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
