Golf: WGC Dell World Matchplay
Venue: Austin Country Club, Texas
Dates: 22nd – 26th March 2023
Tournament Preview
The WGC World Matchplay gets underway in Texas, presenting the first opportunity for fans to see some of the world’s best face off in matchplay golf in 2023. As a completely different animal to Strokeplay, picking a winner in any matchplay event is always tough – especially with the world’s best golfers in action. The winner of the event takes home a remarkable $3.5 million for a weekend’s work and with over $15 million in the prize pot, it is one of the most lucrative events in world golf. World number 1 Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion, having prevailed in 2022 and it promises to be yet another superb weekend of matchplay golf in Texas.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
All of the biggest names in world golf are in action here in Texas, which should set up an excellent week of golf:
World number one and defending champion of this event Scottie Scheffler is a one-man wrecking ball currently and stopping him here in home conditions could be a tough ask.
Jon Rahm is a fierce matchplay competitor, but his draw looks tough in Texas but if there is one man who could do it, it is the Spaniard.
In a similar vein, Rory McIlroy doesn’t tend to play his best stuff in these type of events, but should he find his stride, he will be very difficult to catch.
2021 Open champion Collin Morikawa is always in the mix in every event he plays and whilst he doesn’t have a huge amount of matchplay stature, nobody will want to come up against him.
Young Norwegian Viktor Hovland is the epitome of fearless and he will be relishing the opportunity to make a serious name for himself here, in one of the biggest matchplay events of the season.
Highest Finishing Englishman
Matchplay golf presents opportunities for the whole field and plenty of players will fancy their chances this week:
Fiery Englishman Tyrrell Hatton is made for matchplay golf and although his draw looks tricky, he is certainly one to watch here in Austin.
2022 US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick has been in great form for the past 12 months and how he will be up for having a crack at some of the world’s best here in Texas.
Despite his form being relatively indifferent over the past couple of seasons, Tommy Fleetwood bounced back with a top 3 finish at the Valspar last week and he could continue that form here.
Top Asian
Despite huffing and puffing somewhat in recent weeks, Sungjae Im is a man capable of turning up on the big occasion and his game should suit matchplay golf too.
Japanese superstar Hideki Matsuyama is searching for the form that saw him win the Masters in 2021 and how he would love to find his groove in a matchplay event here in Texas.
Fellow South Korean, Si Woo Kim has also been in the mix in most of the events he has played this season and he should relish the head to head format here in Texas.
2023 WGC World Matchplay betxchange.com Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Scottie Scheffler – 9/1
Top Englishman: Tyrrell Hatton – 12/10
Top Asian: Sungjae Im – 2/1
