Golf: WGC Dell World Matchplay
Venue: Austin Country Club, Texas
Dates: Thursday 24th – Sunday 27th March 2022
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 2021. 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 $2.16 million for a weekend’s work and with over $12 million in the prize pot, it is one of the most lucrative events in world golf. Billy Horschel is the defending champion, having prevailed in 2021 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:
Having been edged out by Dustin Johnson in the final of this event in 2017, Jon Rahm will be keen to go one better here and his matchplay form always tends to be strong.
Despite having not won on the PGA Tour for over a year, Justin Thomas has been producing some consistent showings in recent weeks and he is a tough man to beat in matchplay golf.
Current 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.
Former world number one and previous winner of this event Dustin Johnson isn’t known for his matchplay prowess but when he gets going, he is practically impossible to stop.
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.
Perennial nearly man Paul Casey has once again been in fine form in 2022 without getting over the line and he always enjoyed the cut and thrust of matchplay golf.
Despite his form being a far cry of years gone by, Ian Poulter lives for the contest of matchplay golf, and he looks vastly overpriced in the English market 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.
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.
Top Australian
Cool Australian Adam Scott has enjoyed a real renaissance in the past couple of months on the PGA Tour and his experience at this level could see him go deep at the WGC Matchplay this week.
WGC World Matchplay betxchange.com Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Justin Thomas – 14/1
Top Englishman: Tyrrell Hatton – 10/3
Top Asian: Sungjae Im – 8/13
Top Australian: Adam Scott – 11/10