As we enter the Sweet sixteen at the Dell Match Play, I admit that I'm a bit greatly surprised.
Shocked that I nevertheless have two energetic picks, that is, and that they received their businesses three-zero-zero.
I'm now not terribly surprised that Phil Mickelson made it through; he is been playing properly all year. Likewise, Paul Casey has been playing properly for a yr or greater, even though I became less sure he'd get past Schwartzel unscathed. And Patrick Reed's removal changed into no surprise both; he genuinely hasn't recovered from the emotional month after the Ryder Cup while he said he was just wiped out. (That's why he was my flier. I although in shape play would possibly revitalize him. I turned into incorrect.)
But whilst the Woodland withdrawal took out Rory McIlroy -- the one pick out I notion was ironclad -- earlier than we even reached the third day, I anticipated EVERYTHING to go wrong. We lost 3 gamers to withdrawals, and also you simply never recognize how that will affect the field. (BTW, you'll all be glad to know that Jason Day's mother got here thru surgical treatment simply fine and the doctors say they're optimistic about her healing, in keeping with ESPN.)
While the motive of the round robin stage was to assure the large names failed to go away after only someday of terrible success, it's clear the "pool" concept hasn't made healthy play less unstable. I would argue that its most important advantage is that extra gamers pick out to return, truly as it's not a one-day journey. Even if you get bounced by way of an sudden withdrawal (or three), at the least you didn't spend greater time travelling than playing.
Besides, there's lots to do in Austin TX, even if you do get bounced.
But now the complete landscape of the event has modified. Bubba, Koepka and Noren have located their games even as Soren Kjeldsen, Hideto Tanihara and Will McGirt have opened quite some eyes. Throw within the dominance of Dustin Justin and Jon Rahm, and this Match Play just were given very interesting.
I just hope Phil and Paul can hang on and reach the Final Four. It's been more than one years due to the fact I had a select make the finals. (I assume that was Victor Dubuisson, the 12 months Jason Day received his first Match Play.) I'd love to do it once more.
0 comments