Brackets Follow @golfcentraldoc Jason Day –20/1 Bobby Jones Bracket Has a tough opener against Thor but Jason Day seems to have th...
Brackets
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Has a tough opener against Thor but Jason Day seems to have the best of the draw in the Ben Hogan bracket. I say that knowing that Henrik Stenson and Steve Stricker are also in the bracket but Stenson has been indifferent to the event failing to get past round one since 2009 and I’m not sure how much of Stricker’s mind will be on the job having left his brothers hospital bedside to play this week. Day however is fresh with only starts on the PGA Tour this year at Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach. Missed the cut at Pebble but tied second at The Farmers. Beat Zach Johnson, GMac, Bubba and Poults on his way to third last year. Strongly feel that he will be the man this week.
![hunter mahan_thumb[3][4]](//lh5.ggpht.com/-NBmy7TZF7oU/Uvyq5GswvaI/AAAAAAAAgsA/E7-aO1k0GxI/hunter%252520mahan_thumb%25255B3%25255D%25255B4%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800 "hunter mahan_thumb[3][4]")
It may have been a quiet week at Riviera for Hunter (T52) but he comes into this matchplay in excellent form having had a T4 in Phoenix and sixth at Pebble Beach. Tore through Manassero, Sterne and Kaymer, Simpson and Poulter on his way to the final last year with only Webb Simpson giving him a game. Beaten 2&1 by Matt Kuchar in the final. After beating Zach Johnson on the first extra hole in the first round in 2012 again cruised through to the final beating Rory McIlroy in the final 2&1. In the bracket of death this year alongside both Zach and Dustin Johnson,Bubba Watson, GMac and young sensation Matsuyama. Set to face Gonzo Castano in the first round with a potential rematch with Zach brewing in round two.
Missed the cut badly at the Northern Trust Open but Kuchar has avoided the tough brackets this year in the Gary Player bracket. Started the season very promisingly with a T6 at the Tournament Of Champions and a T8 at the Sony Open as he did last season when he won here. Beaten by Hunter Mahan 6&5 in 2012 but got his revenge in 2013 in the final. Won the third place consolation match against Bubba Watson in 2011 after losing to Luke Donald in the semis. Seems to have the perfect relentless matchplay game to contend at Dove Mountain. Will play Bernd Wiesberger in round one but the big test will possibly come against Jordan Spieth in the second round.
Has been beaten early in the recent past by Shane Lowry (2013) , Ben Crane (2011) and Oliver Wilson (2010) but went on a super run all the way to the final in 2012 where he lost narrowly to Hunter Mahan. Is an entirely different animal this year, comfortable with his clubs and driving long. Big chances. First up is Boo Weekly but the big danger should come from Charl Schwartzel (33/1) in round two. Its a tough bracket with Garcia and Poults in the lower half but I think McIlroy looks better this year.
Since winning in 2010 against Paul Casey in the final, Poults has twice gone out in the first round losing to Stewart Cink in 2011 and Sang Moon Bae in 2012. Played well again last year but got his ass handed to him by Hunter Mahan in the semi final. Certainly has the grit, determination and Ryder Cup pedigree for matchplay; but has a tough draw with potential opponents Jimmy Walker, Sergio Garcia and Charl or Rory waiting in the Ben Hogan bracket final. Will play Rickie Fowler in round one.
Didn’t happen for Webb at tight Riviera last week but he still brings a formline of five top 10’s from seven starts to Arizona this week on his third visit to the tournament. Made it to the quarter final in 2013 losing to Hunter Mahan on the last.
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Jason Day –20/1 Bobby Jones Bracket
Has a tough opener against Thor but Jason Day seems to have the best of the draw in the Ben Hogan bracket. I say that knowing that Henrik Stenson and Steve Stricker are also in the bracket but Stenson has been indifferent to the event failing to get past round one since 2009 and I’m not sure how much of Stricker’s mind will be on the job having left his brothers hospital bedside to play this week. Day however is fresh with only starts on the PGA Tour this year at Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach. Missed the cut at Pebble but tied second at The Farmers. Beat Zach Johnson, GMac, Bubba and Poults on his way to third last year. Strongly feel that he will be the man this week.
Hunter Mahan 20/1 – Sam Snead Bracket
![hunter mahan_thumb[3][4]](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qTXoK4zX9b4/Uvyq4AdQLoI/AAAAAAAAgr4/C2-OKcb5Qjw/s1600-h/hunter%252520mahan_thumb%25255B3%25255D%25255B4%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "hunter mahan_thumb[3][4]")
It may have been a quiet week at Riviera for Hunter (T52) but he comes into this matchplay in excellent form having had a T4 in Phoenix and sixth at Pebble Beach. Tore through Manassero, Sterne and Kaymer, Simpson and Poulter on his way to the final last year with only Webb Simpson giving him a game. Beaten 2&1 by Matt Kuchar in the final. After beating Zach Johnson on the first extra hole in the first round in 2012 again cruised through to the final beating Rory McIlroy in the final 2&1. In the bracket of death this year alongside both Zach and Dustin Johnson,Bubba Watson, GMac and young sensation Matsuyama. Set to face Gonzo Castano in the first round with a potential rematch with Zach brewing in round two. Matt Kuchar 25/1– Gary Player Bracket
Missed the cut badly at the Northern Trust Open but Kuchar has avoided the tough brackets this year in the Gary Player bracket. Started the season very promisingly with a T6 at the Tournament Of Champions and a T8 at the Sony Open as he did last season when he won here. Beaten by Hunter Mahan 6&5 in 2012 but got his revenge in 2013 in the final. Won the third place consolation match against Bubba Watson in 2011 after losing to Luke Donald in the semis. Seems to have the perfect relentless matchplay game to contend at Dove Mountain. Will play Bernd Wiesberger in round one but the big test will possibly come against Jordan Spieth in the second round.Rory McIlroy 14/1 – Ben Hogan Bracket
Has been beaten early in the recent past by Shane Lowry (2013) , Ben Crane (2011) and Oliver Wilson (2010) but went on a super run all the way to the final in 2012 where he lost narrowly to Hunter Mahan. Is an entirely different animal this year, comfortable with his clubs and driving long. Big chances. First up is Boo Weekly but the big danger should come from Charl Schwartzel (33/1) in round two. Its a tough bracket with Garcia and Poults in the lower half but I think McIlroy looks better this year.Best of the Grit
Ian Poulter – 25/1 Ben Hogan Bracket
Since winning in 2010 against Paul Casey in the final, Poults has twice gone out in the first round losing to Stewart Cink in 2011 and Sang Moon Bae in 2012. Played well again last year but got his ass handed to him by Hunter Mahan in the semi final. Certainly has the grit, determination and Ryder Cup pedigree for matchplay; but has a tough draw with potential opponents Jimmy Walker, Sergio Garcia and Charl or Rory waiting in the Ben Hogan bracket final. Will play Rickie Fowler in round one. Webb Simpson 25/1 – Bobby Jones Bracket
Didn’t happen for Webb at tight Riviera last week but he still brings a formline of five top 10’s from seven starts to Arizona this week on his third visit to the tournament. Made it to the quarter final in 2013 losing to Hunter Mahan on the last.
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