Wednesday, February 20, 2008 1

Preview:
2008 Accenture Match Play Championship
February 20 - 24, 2008  •  The Gallery at Dove Mountain  •  Marana, AZ

#1 Tiger Woods


#2 Rory Sabbatini


#3 K.J. Choi


#4 Zach Johnson
BOBBY JONES BRACKET

First Round Match-Ups Of Interest:

#1 Tiger Woods vs. #16 J.B. Holmes- One thing’s for sure, 1/16 match-ups are never this compelling in the NCAA Tournament.  Will J.B. come out with the same fire that he showed in the playoff against Phil in Phoenix?  And if so, how long can he sustain it?  And how will Tiger react?  This has the potential to be a classic showdown.

#5 Aaron Baddeley vs. #12 Mark Calvacechia- You won’t find a match-up featuring such opposites in age and physique.  Something tells me that Bads is a little worried about Calc, with good reason.

Possible Second Round Match-Ups:

#2 Rory Sabbatini vs. #7 Paul Casey- Casey spent his time as the villain, but Rory has certainly taken that title from him.  

#6 Ian Poulter  vs. #14 Camilo Villegas- The golf would be exciting, and so would the outfits!

Possible Third Round Match-Ups:

#1 Tiger Woods vs. #12 Mark Calvacechia- This would be interesting for many of the same reasons that Calc vs. Bads will be, but even more so since Tiger and Calc are close friends.

#2 Rory Sabbatini vs. #6 Ian Poulter- Who wouldn’t love watching these two play for the right to get pounded by Tiger in the next round?

Possible Quarterfinal Match-Ups:

#1 Tiger Woods vs. #2 Rory Sabbatini or #6 Ian Poulter- Who wouldn’t love watching Tiger pound Rory?  Tiger  vs. Poulter would have its own sidebar as well, but would probably  result in a friendlier whipping.









#1 Ernie Els



#2 Adam Scott



#3 Segio Garcia



#4 Henrik StensonBEN HOGAN BRACKET

First Round Match-Ups Of Interest:

#1 Ernie Els vs. #16 Jonathan Byrd- Because of recent 72nd hole falters and his late entry into this event, every one will be watching Ernie closely this week. This tournament is probably more important to Ernie than any other player.

#8 Retief Goosen vs. #9 Andres Romero- Retief seems to be in a free-fall, while Romero’s run and subsequent burnout at Carnoustie has made him one of the young players to watch.

#6 Martin Kaymer vs. #11 Boo Weekley- Martin Kaymer of Germany has been hot on the European Tour, but he aint never seen nothing like no Boo.  I wonder what they’ll talk about?

Possible Second Round Match-Ups:

#1 Ernie Els vs. #8 Retief Goosen- A match between these two friends from South Africa would certainly be intriguing.

#2 Adam Scott vs. #10 Woody Austin- Total opposites in their game, demeanor and personal style.  What would Woody think of all the teenage girls following their match?

#3 Sergio Garcia vs. #11 Boo Weekley- They both spit in cups.

Possible Third Round Match-Ups:

#1 Ernie Els or #8 Retief Goosen vs. #5 Trevor Immelman- Current, former and future South African superstars- either match would be compelling.

#2 Adam Scott vs. #3 Sergio Garcia- They're both anxious to compete with Tiger, but it would be great to see them going against each other.

#10 Woody Austin vs. #11 Boo Weekley- I don’t know what would be better- the match, their outfits, or the post-round interviews.

Possible Quarterfinal Match-Ups:

#1 Ernie Els vs. #2 Adam Scott or #3 Sergio Garcia- All three players would love a shot at Tiger in the semifinals, that is, until they see him walk up to the first tee.  Then they start shaking in their shoes.





 

#1 Phil Mickelson


#2 Justin Rose


#3 Vijay Singh



#4 Geoff Ogilvy


GARY PLAYER BRACKET

First Round Match-Ups Of Interest:

#1 Phil Mickelson vs. #16 Pat Perez- Phil has regained his position as superstar #1A.  Pat Perez poses a dangerous threat though.  The other first rounds match-ups aren't so compelling in this bracket.

Possible Second Round Match-Ups:

#4 Geoff Ogilvy vs #12 Brand Snedeker- Two young, charismatic players going in opposite directions.  Brandt seems destined to win a major, while Geoff needs to return to the form that won him his.

Possible Third Round Match-Ups:

#1 Phil Mickelson vs. #4 Geoff Ogilvy- This would match the two main characters in the drama that was Winged Foot.  The sequel would be interesting, but certainly would lack the original's improvisational quality.

#2 Justin Rose vs. #3 Vijay Singh- Vijay is looking to find his old form, while Justin Rose is looking to validate his world ranking with a PGA Tour victory.

Possible Quarterfinal Match-Ups:

#1 Phil Mickelson vs. #3 Vijay Singh- Wouldn't it be great to see these two go at each other...on the golf course?

#2 Justin Rose vs. #4 Geoff Ogilvy- We need to see more battles between the young superstars.  This would a great one.















#1 Steve Stricker


#2 Jim Furyk


#3 Padraig Harrington


#4 Angel CabreraSAM SNEAD BRACKET

First Round Match-Ups Of Interest:

#1 Steve Stricker vs. #16 Daniel Chopra- Another 1/16 match-up that is no gimme for the favorite.  Rematch of the Mercedes playoff, won by Chopra.

#5 Luke Donald vs. #12 Nick Dougherty- This match-up features two young, hip Englishman.  Luke is still looking for a significant win.

#2 Jim Furyk vs. #12 Colin Montgomerie- This would feel like a Ryder Cup match, except that their playing it in the Arizona desert for some odd reason.

Possible Second Round Match-Ups:

#1 Steve Stricker vs. #9 Hunter Mahan- Stricker is the two-time comeback player of the year, while Hunter is the kid who is coming on strong.

Possible Third Round Match-Ups:

#2 Jim Furyk vs. #3 Padraig Harrington- This would feel like a Ryder Cup match, except that their playing it in the Arizona desert for some odd reason.

Possible Quarterfinal Match-Ups:

#2 Jim Furyk vs. #4 Angel Cabrera- This would be an intriguing match featuring the unlikely winner of the U.S. Open at Oakmont and the guy who knows he should have won it.
















SEMIFINALS

Best Possible Final Four:

#1 Tiger Woods vs. #1 Ernie Els- Match play rarely plays out to give us this kind of a match-up, but this would be must-see TV.

#1 Phil Mickelson vs. #2 Jim Furyk- This wouldn’t be quite as dazzling as Tiger/Ernie, but still thrilling.

Most Unique Final Four:

#12 Andres Romero vs. #14 Camilo Villegas- A battle of flashy South Americans.

#12 Brandt Snedeker vs. #9 Hunter Mahan- A battle of promising young Americans, who actually have a hip vibe that is usually found only in the young Euros and Internationals.

Worst Possible Final Four:

#9 Aaron Oberholser vs. #13 Robert Allenby- This match would be must-Tivo TV...at best.

#15 Rod Pampling vs. #7 Stephen Ames- See above.


FINALS

Best Possible Final:

#1 Tiger Woods vs. #1 Phil Mickelson- We want this.  We need this.  NBC needs this.

Most Unique Final:

#2 Adam Scott vs. #2 Justin Rose- A battle for the title of best young player.

Worst Possible Final:

#10 Robert Karlsson vs. #13 Anders Hanson- This match would be huge in Sweden and Denmark, but in America we would see a sudden interest in the Champions Tour and women's college basketball.

More on the Match Play:

Chris Lewis breaks down the odds for all the gamblers out there.

Geoff Shackelford inspires a discussion on the state of the WGC's.

Daniel Wexler breaks down the best bets.

Follow the action at the New York Post's AP scoreboard or the PGA Tour bracket format.