Accenture WGC World Match Play Round 1

Call it February madness, the Accenture WGC World Match Play Championships are the closest thing the golf world has to NCAA basketball’s big dance. Thankfully, Lake La Costa managed to dry up enough to allow play to continue albeit with minor alterations. The 467-yard 9th hole is normally a par-4, but the torrential rains forced tournament organizers to change it into a 160-yard par-3. The first round of competition included some very surprising results for high-seeded players. Earlier this week, we gave you our predictions of just how the tournament would pan out on each round. How did we do?

Jones Bracket: 1st Round:

(1) Vijay Singh vs. (16) Shingo Katayama: Shingo holds the advantage in terms of head wear style and number of fairway woods in play. Neither affects Vijay, whose caddie wears a “Shingo Who?” cap to the first tee. Winner: Singh, 3 and 2

Stevie Wonder could have seen this one coming. Singh ended up winning 4 and 3, but who’s counting. We say a win’s a win. No real shockers here, Singh got ahead early and stayed that way despite Shingo’s intimidating hat and facial hair.

(8) Jonathan Kaye vs. (9) Jay Haas: As much as I love Haas’ late-career resurgence, his stroke-play proficiency doesn’t translate into match play mojo. Winner: Kaye, 2-up

Okay, we underestimated the old guy, but this was a really close match. Kaye sprung to an early lead, but Haas took advantage of key mistakes on the back nine especially the bogey on the 15th to cruise to a 4 and 2 win.

(5) Justin Leonard vs. (12) John Daly: The 5-12 matchup is a prime place for picking upsets in college hoops. A lot of people will be picking Daly to pull off a win here, but Leonard is a match play bulldog. Tortoise beats hare, with room to spare. Winner: Leonard, 4 and 3

Maybe the most anticipated match of the day, Leonard the “lord of the short game” against Daly the “long bombing lion.” This was another very close match which featured 4 lead changes. Leonard did all he could to stay alive including holing a bellied wedge from the rough on the 16th, but in the end Daly defied us and won his first WGC Match Play event 1-up.

(4) Chris DiMarco vs. (13) Tim Herron: DiMarco showed his match play fire at the Ryder Cup, and Herron is still recovering from various ailments. Winner: DiMarco, 2 and 1.

DiMarco won 1 up. Although DiMarco hasn’t been playing up to his abilities early on in ’05, he clung to a small lead and edged out Tim Herron who has proven that he can compete with the best golfers in the world.

(6) Lee Westwood vs. (11) Steve Flesch: Westwood continues to be an inspiration for David Duval, pulling himself out of a career-threatening downward spiral. And he understands how to close the deal in match play. Winner: Westwood, 3 and 2

Chalk another one up for The Sand Trap. Westwood dominated Flesch to the tune of 4 and 3. Westwood’s round of -3 was too much for Flesch who only made one bogey, but couldn’t sink the putts to keep up with Westwood. Oh, what’s that? David Duval shot a 69 at the Chrysler Classic today? Perhaps Westwood has a chance.

(3) Davis Love III vs. (14) Chris Riley: These two Ryder Cup teammates could hear some rumblings from the galleries. Love had a run-in with a fan at La Costa last year, while Riley might get some “Are you tired?” ribbing from bowing out of a Ryder Cup matchup due to fatigue. Winner: Love, 1-up

We nailed this one perfectly: Love III beat Riley 1-up. Both players traded birdies all the way down to the 18th where Love III’s final birdie sealed the victory.

(7) K.J. Choi vs. (10) Tom Lehman: The newly named U.S. Ryder Cup captain gets a chance to show some game. Choi is solid, but Lehman is out to prove something this week. Winner: Lehman, 3 and 2

Tom Lehman’s secret ambitions to be a playing captain for the 2006 Ryder Cup are becoming more obvious. He won this match 4 and 2 largely due to Choi’s mistakes. But as we say, a win’s a win, and we’re 5 for 7 so far!

(2) Stewart Cink vs. (15) Fred Funk: The Ryder Cup partners go at it in a match that’s a blowout on paper. Cink has all the talent in the world, but his head gets in the way. Look for Funk to hang around, then steal this match at the end. Winner: Funk, 1-up (19 holes)

Although this match was expected to be a blowout, Funk almost came through with the upset since Cink recently contracted the flu. Cink was down going into the 13th, but battled back to pull off the win.

Hogan Bracket: 1st Round:

(1) Retief Goosen vs. (16) Stephen Leaney: Sure, Leaney’s made it to the semis here before. But unless Goosen has a few too many Grey Gooses (or Geese?) on Tuesday night, this one goes according to plan. Winner: Goosen, 1-up

Goosen only won the match 1-up, but was in control the whole time. Goosen’s inopportune bogey on the 18th gave Leany hope. However, the Little Easy would not be denied and made a tough par on the 18th to close out the match.

(8) Peter Lonard vs. (9) Fred Couples: Lonard’s a world-class grinder, while Fred is easing his way toward the Champions Tour. Still, La Costa has been good to Couples over the years. Winner: Couples, 2 and 1

Yet another tough call, and we got it right. Boom Boom used birdies on the 13th and 15th holes to hold of Lonard. Although he’s been playing quite well lately, Lonard still hasn’t found the key to winning in the U.S. The Couples vs. Goosen match should be billed “battle of the smooth swingers.”

(5) Chad Campbell vs. (12) Jacobson: Campbell is flat-out streaky. It looks like he’s at the start of a hot streak, though. Winner: Campbell, 5 and 4

Campbell did ride his hot streak all the way to a 2-up win. Campbell was down most of the match, but rose to the occasion and coasted to the win thanks to back to back concessions by Jacobsen.

(4) Miguel Angel Jimenez vs. (13) Rod: The Mechanic vs. the. OK, I made the second nickname up, but Jimenez has the tools and experience to bust up the whole bracket. Winner: Jimenez, 2 and 1

Possibly one of the most single sided matches of the day, few players in the world stand a chance against Jiminez who has proven time and time again just how well match play suits his game. Jiminez won 3 and 2.

(6) Todd Hamilton vs. (11) Robert: This could go either way. I look for Hamilton to play with a chip on his shoulder, courtesy of those calling his British Open win a fluke. That’s good for at least one win. Winner: Hamilton, 1-up

In one of the worst performances of the day, Todd Hamilton continued his descent into mediocrity, losing this match 6 and 5. He stood little chance as Robert birdied 9, 10, and 11 to close out Hamilton.

(3) Darren Clarke vs. (14) Graeme McDowell: Clarke will be a trendy pick to win it all. I pick him to finish second in the all-important “Best Pants” category to perennial favorite Ian. Winner: Clarke, 3 and 2

In a major shocker, the modestly dressed Clarke folded from a 2-up lead to finally lose the match on the 18th green which McDowell birdied. Clarke didn’t play too badly, shooting even-par; but McDowell refused to give in and pulled off the victory.

(7) Tim Clark vs. (10) Craig Parry: Could be the least-watched match on the course. After Johnny Miller said last year that Parry’s swing would make Ben Hogan vomit, do you think the PGA Tour was trying to be funny by putting Parry in the Hogan bracket here? Believe me, that qualifies as slapstick at the Tour. Winner: Parry, 1-up

We’re right again! Parry and Clark went back and forth the entire match until Parry finally won the match on the 18th. Does anyone really care? Probably not.

(2) Mike Weir vs. (15) Kirk: Is the retro bucket hat surgically attached to head? Regardless, he’ll push Weir here, just not far enough. Winner: Weir, 1-up (19 holes)

Hands down the biggest upset of the day was the usurping of Mike Weir by Kirk. Old Trip shod his trusty bucket had in favor of a more Hoganesque piece and the results paid off. Triplett took control of the match on the 12th hole and won 1-up. In a show of real self-confidence, Triplett said, “It feels like an upset to me.”

Player Bracket, 1st Round:

(1) Tiger Woods vs. (16) Nick Price: Sounds great on paper, but this matchup is one of the more lopsided in the draw. Price is savvy, and still a strong ball-striker. But he plays smallball, and his putting takes long vacations these days. Tiger? I think you know how he rolls. Winner: Woods, 3 and 2

Another no-brainer. If Nick was a few year younger and Tiger a few older… nahh Tiger would still crush him. The match wasn’t close at all, but was longer due to some mistakes by Woods. Tiger missed a few close putts thanks to some very bumpy greens which Tiger likened to “waffle irons.” Tiger won 4 and 3.

(8) Nick O’Hern vs. (9) Charles Howell III: O’Hern isn’t Darren Clarke’s o’neighbor in Ireland; he’s an Aussie with plenty of game. But Howell is about to fulfill the potential he’s been flashing the last few years. Winner: Howell, 1-up

The last match to conclude today, O’Hern edged out Howell III on the 19th hole of the match.

(5) Luke Donald vs. (12) Zach Johnson: Two good young players in a very even matchup. Donald showed plenty of Cool Hand Luke style at the Ryder Cup, and that’s what carries him past Johnson here. Winner: Donald, 1-up (20 holes)

Donald dominated this match 4 and 3, using relatively mistake free golf and capitalizing on three bogies by Johnson to cruise to the win.

(4) Kenny Perry vs. (13) Thomas Levet: Another Ryder Cup redux. Levet will put le spanking on Perry, who is in the early stages of one of his patented prolonged cold streaks. Winner: Levet, 2 and 1

Levet was forced to conceded four holes due to his poor play. As a fitting finale, Levet hurled his putter (which we’ll probably see auctioned on eBay tomorrow) into the lake on the 16th after losing 3 and 2.

(6) Jim Furyk vs. (11) Ian Poulter: Yes, more Ryder Cup leftovers. Poulter’s pants are bound to be entertaining. But the real eye-catcher in this match will be Furyk’s killer game face. Winner: Furyk, 3 and 1

In almost the exact opposite of what we predicted, Poulter pulled off the win in this match. Furyk seems to still be having wrist issues and it showed with his play today. Ian Poulter took the lead on the first hole and never looked back winning 3 and 1.

(3) Stuart Appleby vs. (14) Joakim Haeggman: I think this is the year Appleby breaks through with a major, perhaps at the PGA Championship. In the meantime, he makes short work of Haeggman. Winner: Appleby, 4 and 3

Haeggman’s bizarre green reading technique of laying chest-down on the green and looking at his line seemed to irritate Appleby and baffle spectators, especially considering the wet course. Haeggman tied the match on the 16th until Appleby finally ended the match with a birdie on the first playoff hole.

(7) Thomas Bjorn vs. (10) Rory Sabbatini: Sabbatini is like Gonzaga. You don’t want to draw him in the first round, because he might shoot a 63 and send you home in a hurry. Or, he could shoot 73 and punch his own ticket. Winner: Bjorn, 2-up

Sabbatini lived up to his Gonzaga comparison, by quickly and efficiently finishing off Bjorn 6 and 5. Sabbatini scored two quick birdies and capitalized on a Bjorn bogie to go 3-up and used three concessions on 11, 12, and 13 to clinch the win.

(2) Padraig Harrington vs. (15) Jeff Maggert: The not-so-epic Maggs vs. Andrew Magee final from a few years back is exactly why the PGA Championship isn’t a match play event. Harrington will make sure Maggert doesn’t sneak through again. Winner: Harrington, 1-up

We nailed another one! Harrington fulfilled our predictions to a tee. Maggert kept battling back again and again until Harrington’s final birdie on the 18th finished off the match.

Snead Bracket, 1st Round:

(1) Phil Mickelson vs. (16) Loren Roberts: Another tortoise vs. hare match. This time, the hare wins with room to spare. Phil likes to show off in front of the home folks, and has won at La Costa before (back when the Mercedes Championships were there). Winner: Mickelson, 2-up

Mickelson finally seemed human on the golf course, making some mistakes like a bogey on the 15th. Still Loren Roberts was no match. Mickelson cruised to the win like all the other top seeds 3 and 1.

(8) Angel Cabrera vs. (9) Paul Casey: Think Casey will take some crap for his alleged anti-American tabloid story? Oh, and admitting he’s in therapy might give the crowds some fodder, too. That’s a lot to have on your mind, and methinks Casey doesn’t have much room up there to begin with. Winner: Cabrera, 3 and 2

Boy were we close on this one. Still reeling from the backlash caused by his comments, Casey lost 4 and 2. Although Casey played well, Cabrera’s six birdies were more than enough to allow him to coast to the victory 4 and 2.

(5) Stephen Ames vs. (12) Mark Hensby: Unless one of these guys makes a hole-in-one, you won’t be seeing any highlights from this match on SportsCenter. A 12 seed finally wins. Winner: Hensby, 1-up

In the biggest blowout of the day, Hensby made good use of 7 birdies to handily dispatch of Ames 7 and 6.

(4) David Toms vs. (13) Richard Green: Green’s star is on the rise, and this is The Year of the Lefty. But Toms is tough at La Costa, where he overcame severe food poisoning to finish second to Tiger in 2003. If he sticks to chicken broth this week, he’ll do OK. Winner: Toms, 2 and 1

Toms pulled off the victory by the slimmest of margins, 1-up. A close match, but the winner doesn’t have enough fire power to make a lot of noise later in the tournament.

(6) Shigeki Maruyama vs. (11) David Howell: As a founding member of the Shigeki-san fan club, I’m a bit biased. But I think he smiles his way through a dogfight with the underrated Howell. Winner: Maruyama, 1-up (19 holes)

Maruyama was a big favorite, but Howell deserves all the credit in the world for his performance, six birdies and an eagle was too much firepower for the merry Korean who wore an ear to ear smile all the way down. Howell won 6 and 5.

(3) Adam Scott vs. (14) Trevor Immelman: Scott just won the mini-Nissan Open, and he should be fresh after only playing 37 holes to do so. Immelman is going to be a stud, but Scott has arrived in full. Winner: Scott, 2-up

Fresh off his victory at the Nissan Open, Scott seemed in complete control of most of the match. However, Immelman fought back on the 17th to extend the match, but Scott’s birdie on the 18th sealed the 2-up victory. Chalk another one up for us!

(7) Scott Verplank vs. (10) Jerry Kelly: Two warriors who love to grind it out. This won’t be pretty, but it will be fun to watch. Winner: Kelly, 1-up

Possibly the best match of the day, Kelly was one down on the 14th, but fought back with a birdie on 15 and a concession on 16 to go one up and win the match by that score. Once again we’re right on the money!

(2) Sergio Garcia vs. (15) Alex Cejka: Where’s Sergio in the battle for No. 1? Exactly. He’s showing signs of getting back to top form, but he won’t get all the way back this week. Winner: Garcia, 2 and 1

Last but not least is El Nino who breezed right through Alex Cejka to the tune of 4 and 2. Nothing too surprising here, Garcia’s first five birdies were too much for Cejka who folded.

Our Grade
Some pretty darn good predicting by our writer Donald McKenzie yielded a record of 21-11 pretty darn good, especially considering the soggy conditions and wide open field. This clearly remains anyones tournament and even though the course is expected to dry out, no one knows for sure exactly what’s going to happen.