The second day of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play event sees the group stage continuing and it is a big day for a lot of players. Those who were unable to win on the opening day need to do so to remain in the hunt heading into Friday. Players who won their first match can put one foot into the knockout stages with a win on Thursday.
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Day 1 Recap
It was not a day to be a star name on Wednesday. Dustin Johnson, the world number one, had a complete mare. The defending champion went round in 11 over par to lose to Bernd Wiesberger while Rory McIlroy was well beaten by Peter Uihlein. Jon Rahm had to win two of the last three holes to get a half in his match while Tommy Fleetwood was beaten by Ian Poulter. Phil Mickelson was another big name beaten on the opening day.
It was a much better prognosis for our match bets on Wednesday though. Yuta Ikeda outlasted Ross Fisher in an awful match while Kiradech Aphibarnrat led all the way round against Chez Reavie. Kyle Stanley led for the first time on the final hole to see off Matt Fitzpatrick but sadly we were denied a clean sweep when Kevin Kisner and Adam Hadwin halved. Still three out of four winners was perfectly acceptable.
Day 2 Preview
The second set of matches have thrown up some great games for us to look forward to and as with the opening day they have all been priced up for us to have a go at. The pick of the matches on Thursday are the ones involving Patrick Reed and Charl Schwartzel, Jason Day and Jason Dufner, Marc Leishman and Bubba Watson along with Rory McIlroy against Jhonattan Vegas. I like the look of two bets on Thursday.
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Thursday Betting
Ross Fisher vs Zach Johnson
Match tees off at 16.09 GMT
Both these men go into this match without a win but Zach Johnson could be forgiven for thinking he won on Wednesday as he birdied the last four holes to win them all and half his match with Matt Kuchar. Ross Fisher certainly won’t be thinking that way after his defeat to Yuta Ikeda.
Although I predicted and backed that win for Ikeda never in my wildest dreams did I expect Fisher to go round 17 holes in five over par and you’ve got to fear for him in this match. He will have a length advantage but that did him no good on Wednesday and to be fair Johnson’s lack of length doesn’t negate him much.
Two years ago Johnson beat Martin Kaymer 8&6 here and he was five under for his round on Wednesday. We know he won’t be away from the fairways very often and his precise iron play and excellent putting makes him hard to beat. I think he wins this match and controls his own destiny on Friday.
Marc Leishman vs Bubba Watson
Match tees off at 16.42 GMT
The second bet I like comes in Group 11 where Bubba Watson takes on Marc Leishman. Leishman was beaten by Julian Suri on the opening day while Watson powered past Branden Grace on Wednesday.
Watson shot seven under for the front nine on Wednesday and he wasn’t ever going to lose from there. He won’t shoot that again but it was a sign that the course suits his eye and when that is the case the rest have issues. Leishman was far from his best on the opening day and really struggled for birdies.
Watson is hitting the ball so well at the minute that he is going to put a lot of pressure on Leishman throughout this round and when you think Leishman has to avoid defeat to stay in that tension will be paramount. Watson can relax a little here and I fancy him to pick up a second win.
Tips
Back Z.Johnson to beat R.Fisher for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with 888sport
Back him here:
WON – Back B.Watson to beat M.Leishman for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Unibet
Back him here:
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