HTWD Picks of the Week: The Honda Classic

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Bernardo: This week I’m going with Rory Mcllroy, relying on his success at the WGC matchplay, while not playing to his full potential. Making it to the final of a match play event on C+ performance  doesn’t happen often within the scope of professional golf. Mcllroy is in pursue of becoming World #1. After failing to get the job done last week, he will look for a possible win, hopefully leveling the playing field in the race for #1. Go Rory!


JJ: To counter Bernardo's selection, I'm going with Lee Westwood for this Honda Classic. I know he got bounced by Rory last week, but he will be extra motivated to take home a title this week for that exact reason. And not to mention that he's paired with Tiger Woods for the first two days, which adds even more fuel to the fire. This tournament is gonna be a great to watch. So many big names with so many story lines, whoever come out on top (and I'm betting it'll be Lee) will have beaten a world class field.

Recap: Last week Bernardo's choice of Luke Donald bowed out early in the WGC Accenture Match Play, while Martin Kaymer (JJ's pick) won his first round match. That sealed the fate for the point to go to JJ.

Already used: 

JJ: Jonathan Byrd, Keegan Bradley, Bryce Molder, Ryan Moore, Brandt Snedeker, Phil Mickelson, K.J. Choi, Martin Kaymer

Bernardo: Martin Laird, K.J. Choi, Bill Haas, Ben Crane, Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Aaron Baddeley, Luke Donald

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WGC Accenture Match Play: Hunting Birdies

photo via Getty Images 

Hunter Mahan hit the cruise control button on route to defeating Rory Mcllroy 2&1. Many might  take Mcllroy’s performance as an aberration, maybe the pressure of the possibility of becoming World #1 might have got the best of him. Mahan never made any costly mistakes during the match. The same could be said about the tournament since he never found himself down to any of his opponents. This win marks his second WGC event and fourth overall win as a professional. 

The championship match was all squared till they reached hole #6, where Mahan made a birdie. This would lead to a three hole stretch of clutch-ness by Mahan, taking advantage of Mcllroy’s misfortunes on the course. Mcllroy would surge back to life after winning holes 11 and 14, resulting in a score of  two up with four to play. We knew Mcllroy was capable of  crafting a comeback, after closing out Lee Westwood in the semis. Though history repeats itself at times that wasn’t the story today. 

In other news the consolation match between Lee Westwood and Mark Wilson was played till the 18th hole. Both players are not praised for a specific component of their games, which doesn’t equate to an exciting match. A positive outcome of the match was an American sweep of today’s matches, a prelude to the Ryder Cup. After Wilson’s  performance this week he might be considered as a caption’s pick. 

Congratulations Hunter Mahan.

HTWD Round 6 Predictions: WGC Accenture Match Play

The WGC Accenture Match Play has narrowed down to a four man field. Hunter Mahan advances to the championship match after defeating Mark Wilson, followed by Rory Mcllroy, after taking on fellow European Lee Westwood. Round 6 matches have set up to be a small preview of the Ryder Cup. Below you will find our predictions for the championship and third place matches. 

Championship Match:

Hunter Mahan vs. Rory Mcllroy - We didn’t see this one coming, but boy has it been an exciting tournament. Many of us expected Martin Kaymer to make it the finals after a great performance last year, but this chapter of the WGC Accenture Match Play has yet another story stored for us. Mahan will be looking to obtain his second WGC event win, while placing himself among a elite group of golfers. Mcllroy on the other hand is not only looking for a win, but becoming World #1 in the Official World Golf Rankings. With so much on the line I believe Mahan will defeat Mcllroy 3&2.

Third Place Match:

Mark Wilson vs. Lee Westwood - Though the consolation match tends to be pushed over with all the buzz surrounding the championship match, this is Wilson’s chance to stamp his name in WGC history. Westwood also had a chance at becoming World #1 if he proceed to championship match. So winning this match is a must for Westwood, if he wishes to stay close to that #1 spot. I boldly predict an American sweep, Wilson wins 2&1. 

HTWD Round 4 and 5 (Saturday and Sunday morning) Predictions: WGC Accenture Match Play

As the field continues to dwindle and more and more players bow out of the Accenture Match Play Championship, the stakes continue to rise. Read below to find out who we think will make big moves tomorrow en route to the Championship match on Sunday.


Quarterfinals:

Jones Bracket:

Peter Hanson vs. Mark Wilson - Two golfers who you wouldn't have expected to be the last 2 in their bracket for a spot in the final four. They are both sneaky good and like to fly under the radar, but we'll see how they react here. I think Wilson eventually takes down Hanson, 1up.

Player Bracket:

Rory McIlroy vs. Sang Moon Bae - Young stars with the potential to be elite for a very long time face off here. However, the younger Rory is much readier for this moment than Bae. That's why I think he'll take him down, 3&2.

Hogan Bracket:

Matt Kuchar vs. Hunter Mahan - Here, arguably the best American players in the game right now go head to head. This should be the most compelling and entertaining matches in this session. They both can light up a golf course, and birdies here might be needed to halve some holes. I think it's Mahan's time to earn another big win. I'm taking him 2&1.

Snead Bracket:

Lee Westwood vs. Martin Laird - These UK internationals both can crank the golf ball out there, so there might be some one-ups-manship going on. Although I feel this match will be tightly contested, I think Lee makes some clutch putts late to put away Martin, 2&1.

Semifinals (Sunday morning session):

With our predictions from above, now we'll see who we think makes it to the finals:


Hunter Mahan vs. Mark Wilson - Once again, it's American vs. American. Youth vs. Veteran. Ball striker vs. putter. Flat Bill hats vs. Visors. Any way you shape this up, it's a match of opposites. But like I stated above, I think it's Hunter's time this week. He'll win 4&3.

Rory McIlroy vs. Lee Westwood - This will be a great match to watch. They both have shots for the number one spot if they can get to the finals, which puts this match even higher on the pressure scale. And I know Lee doesn't want to lose to young Rory, so I think that will drive him to beat him, 2&1.

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So there you have it. Our final we predict is Lee Westwood vs. Hunter Mahan. How do you think it'll go down? Let us know in the comments, and get ready to watch a lot of golf tomorrow!!


EDIT: There will only be 18 holes of golf today, not 36 as I anticipated. I forgot about the change in format they created from last year where the semis and finals will both be played tomorrow. My apologies.

HTWD Round 3 Predictions: WGC Accenture Matchplay

Day 2 of the WGC Accenture Match Play comes to an end, yielding some interesting results. Round 3 matches commence at 12:50 ET. Below you will find our predictions.

Jones Bracket:

Peter Hanson vs. Brandt Snedeker

Snedeker seems to be up holding up quite fine after defeating Kyle Stanley. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the championship match come around Sunday. Snedeker knocks Hanson out 2&1.

Mark Wilson vs. Dustin Johnson

The short ball vs the long ball. You could argue that Wilson had the easier path to this match but everything in life needs a bit of luck. I believe Wilson will stun some critics and defeat Johnson 2&1.

Hogan Bracket:

Martin Kaymer vs. Matt Kuchar

All eyes on this match. Not to mention they share the same initials (MK). Kaymer is in the hunt for a repeat chance at glory, while Kuchar wants a piece of the action after only making it to the semi finals last year. Definitely a hard one to predict. Kaymer sends Kuchar home 3&2. 

Steve Stricker  vs. Hunter Mahan 

Mahan comes into this match with some momentum after a great match vs Y.E. Yang, the “Tiger Slayer”, which included a stretch of purefect golf. Mahan wins 2&1 over Stricker. 

Player Bracket:

Rory Mcllory vs. Miguel Angel Jimenez 

Jimenez continues to astonish us with his matchplay dominance after knocking out Sergio Garcia  and Keegan Bradley. Two of the hottest players on tour (referring to last week). Unfortunately, the journey ends tomorrow, Rory wins 3&2. 

John Senden vs. Sang-moon Bae

Bae has provided us with some upsets, knocking off Ian Poulter and Charl Schwartzel. If Bae is able to defeat players of that calibrator, its not looking to good for Senden. But remember golf is unpredictable. Bae wins 4&3 against Senden. 

Snead Bracket:

Lee Westwood vs. Nick Watney

Westwood should be a piece of cake after taking on media magnet Tiger woods. Watney wins 3&2. 

Martin Laird vs. Paul Lawrie 

Both Scots defeated young talented players, riding their recent successes, this should play out for a great match. Lairds defeats fellow countrymen in extra holes.