Ogilvy aiming for three World Matchplay Championships
The first big golf event for the year is held this week, the World Accenture Matchplay Championship in Arizona.
I really do love this tournament. Matchplay is the best golf format to play and watch. The match-up’s are always intriguing despite half the field disappearing after one round and Sunday only featuring four players.
Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy is the current tournament champion after he defeated Paul Casey is this matchplay format last year and is a favourite to win the event for a third time.
Ogilvy’s form last year was phenomenal and rarely looked like he was going to be beaten he has a 17 – 2 record in this format and must be a big favourite to win his first match against Sweden’s Alexander Noren.
The other Aussies
Only four Australians have qualified for the event this year compared with seven in 2009. It says something about the sort of year Australian golfers had last year. Geoff Ogilvy is joined by Robert Allenby, Adam Scott and Michael Sim who makes his debut in this tournament.
Robert Allenby hasn’t faired well at this event in the past but has some great form. He’s up against another Swede in Peter Hanson and will go into that match as favourite.
Adam Scott has started the year poorly but I find it hard to believe he could lose his great form at the Australian Open so quickly. He faces El Pato, (the duck) Angel Cabrera in his first round match and an early victory may get his game back.
Michael Sim’s debut at the WGC event has seen him come up against another young star, Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa. This is going to be a great match to watch. The winner may potentially meet the most in form golfer on the planet at the moment, Steve Stricker.
There’s a complete printable bracket (pdf) for all 64 players for the World Matchplay Championships at the PGA Tour website.
