With the Florida Swing completed the PGA Tour packs its bags for Texas where this week the field will compete in the only match-play event on the schedule, the prestigious WGC Dell Technologies Match Play. The exclusive field of top ranked players is divided into 16 groups of four going against each other over the first three days in a round-robin, match-play format starting Wednesday. The winner from each group advances to the elimination stage over the weekend. The event is played at the 7,108-yard, par-71 Austin Country Club. Bryson DeChambeau is scheduled to make his first appearance on Tour since he missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January. Defending champ Billy Horschel is joined by recent match-play winners Kevin Kisner, Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Odds to Win WGC Dell Technologies Match Play
Jon Rahm +1100
Justin Thomas +1200
Viktor Hovland +1400
Scottie Scheffler +1604
Collin Morikawa +1804
Patrick Cantlay +2004
Dustin Johnson +2004
Daniel Berger +2504
Xander Schauffele +2504
Brooks Koepka +2808
Tyrrell Hatton +2808
Paul Casey +2808
Billy Horschel +3008
Jordan Spieth +3008
Bryson Dechambeau +3008
Joaquin Niemann +3008
Louis Oosthuizen +3008
Matthew Fitzpatrick +3512
Sungjae Im +3512
Shane Lowry +3512
Will Zalatoris +4500
Tommy Fleetwood +5000
Russell Henley +5500
Max Homa +5500
Adam Scott +5500
Alex Noren +5500
Sergio Garcia +5500
Talor Gooch +6000
Abraham Ancer +6000
Kevin Kisner +6500
Patrick Reed +6500
Tony Finau +6500
Brian Harman +6500
Corey Conners +6500
Odds Analysis
Patrick Cantlay +2004
More factors than usual come into play when handicapping the field for this event. First, players have to escape group play then survive four knockout rounds. Backing a player with a strong match-play record is sound advice but also take into account recent form. One player who fits the bill is Cantlay, a key contributor on the USA Ryder Cup team going 3-0-1 in his four matches. He’s also the reigning FedExCup champ and had a solid run before his MC at THE PLAYERS making him even hungrier this week.
Billy Horschel +3008
Backing the defending champ is always risky, but Horschel has proven to be strong in match-play and recently had a runner-up finish in the Arnold Palmer. He withdrew from THE PLAYERS due to an illness saying his body had enough. Given some time to recharge ahead of this event I anticipate Horschel will be in top form. And the rest of his group doesn’t appear to present too many problems.
Dustin Johnson +2004
Again, getting out of group play is the biggest hurdle and Johnson is the more steady option in his foursome. That doesn’t mean he’ll escape, although he has a good chance. Entering last year’s event as the No. 1 ranked player, DJ didn’t make it out of group play so there is added incentive. And he is a former winner here taking the title in 2017 with his strong match-play record carrying over to the 2021 Ryder Cup where he went 5-0-0. I like DJ’s chances and his price is inviting.
Kevin Kisner +6500
Why not go further down the odds board and dig up a player who thrives in match-play formats. Kisner was ranked 50th in the world when he beat Matt Kuchar 3 & 2 in 2019 and was runner-up to Bubba Watson the year before. He’s in a tough group with Justin Thomas, Marc Leishman and Luke List, but solid form coming in and a strong history in this tournament sets him up well for another run at a title.
Bubba Watson +7000
Watson has a strong history in this tournament advancing to the Round of 16 six times in 10 tries and is certainly worth a look at his price. He was the lowest seeded player in his group last year beating Joaquin Niemann in a playoff to reach the knockout round. And he captured the title in 2018 as the 39th ranked player in the world. He missed the cut last week despite carding an opening 68 and finishing 2-under at Innisbrook, so his game looks to be in a good place.
Course: Austin Country Club – 7,108 yards, Par 71
It’s as if the field will be playing two different courses seeing how the layout is divided. The front nine plays on higher ground with a typical Texas setting, while the back nine “lowlands” runs alongside Lake Austin. Different elements at different parts of the course force players to think about their shots and manage the course. The front nine has issues with crosswinds and the back nine plays into downwind shots. The wind definitely has an effect on how players attack the course. A key word tossed around this layout is “tricky.” We’ve seen big hitters win here in the past, suggesting some players can overpower the track. But given the elements, strategy and the ability to play the wind are equally important.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel, NBC
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker.eu.
