It is the final day of group action at the WGC Dell Match Play on Friday and when the final putt has dropped we will know the identity of the 16 men who will move forward to play knockout golf over the weekend.
Some players have already been eliminated heading into Friday’s action while some only need a tie to progress. Others need to win and results to go their way so it could get complicated and we might see groups concluded with sudden death shootouts. I’ve scoured the cards and two bets leap out.
Xander Schauffele vs Tom Hoge
Match tees off at 16.29 GMT
We head to Group 6 for the first bet of the day where Xander Schauffele goes up against Tom Hoge in a battle of two men with PGA Tour titles to their name. Only Schauffele will have a chance of adding this one to his collection this weekend though because Hoge is already eliminated from progression.
Schauffele is in pole position in this group and only needs a tie to make it through but I think he’ll have too much for a Hoge who hasn’t really hit top form and in truth his 2023 form has been patchy with the odd good round often flattering his results or his best golf coming when he has been out of contention. Schauffele is a good match player and has only been behind for three holes in the two rounds so far. He is 12 under the card for the week and you would think if he gets in front early here then given the fact Hoge isn’t playing for anything his motivation could quickly dwindle. Hoge is yet to lead a match this week and the way he is hitting the ball Schauffele looks too good for him.
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Tyrrell Hatton vs Russell Henley
Match tees off at 16.51 GMT
The second bet I like on Friday comes from Group 14 where the top seed Tyrrell Hatton will be playing out his final match of the week when he goes up against a Russell Henley who is still very much in the qualifying picture.
Henley has to win this match and then hope that Lucas Herbert gets beaten in the other one to have a chance of coming through. I fully expect Henley to deliver his part of the bargain. Had he not had a quiet first nine against Herbert there is a case to be made for Henley already being through to the next stage. He didn’t make a single birdie in that front nine but came storming back and then dominated Ben Griffin on Thursday. For the last 23 holes he has played he is 11 under which is exceptional form. Hatton is already out of the tournament and earlier in the week he was flexing his wrist as if he is struggling with some sort of injury. One of the reasons why Hatton is already out of this event is because he has only made one birdie after the sixth hole in two rounds of golf. The scoring holes come after the sixth so he clearly isn’t firing on all cylinders. Henley looks to be and at odds against I can’t resist getting on him to do his part of what he needs to in order to keep his hopes alive.
Tips
Back X.Schauffele to beat T.Hoge for a 3/10 stake at 1.95 with Sky Bet
Back R.Henley to beat T.Hatton for a 3/10 stake at 2.20 with Unibet
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