Can you smell that? How ’bout feel it? Yes, the first men’s major championship of the year is within shouting distance, and it’s going to be hard to wait another two weeks for the Masters.
But before the players take that special drive down Magnolia Lane, it’s time to head to Austin, Texas, for the WGC-Dell Match Play.
Several of the game’s biggest names, including Rory McIlroy, Sam Burns, and recent Players champion Cameron Smith, are not in the field this week. However, after a layoff stemming back to the Farmers Insurance Open, Bryson DeChambeau is one of the 64 names in this week’s March Madness type bracket.
Golf course: Yardage book for Austin Country Club
Key statistics
Strokes Gained: Approach: Pete Dye design? It’s probably good to start with iron play.
Putting: Bermuda: There’s a reason why Kevin Kisner seems to reach the final four of this event every year. When you can consistently make putts that your opponent thinks you’re gonna miss, it’s demoralizing.
Data Golf Information
Course Fit (compares golf courses based on the degree to which different golfer attributes — such as driving distance — to predict who performs well at each course – DataGolf): 1. Harbour Town Golf Links (home of the RBC Heritage), 2. Colonial Country Club (home of the Charles Schwab), 3. Sea Island GC (Plantation)
Trending: 1. Justin Thomas (last three starts: 6, T-33, T-3), 2. Scottie Scheffler (T-7, 1, T-55), 3. Matt Fitzpatrick (T-9, MC, T-5)
Percent chance to win (based on course history, fit, trending, etc.): 1. Jon Rahm (5.1 percent), 2. Justin Thomas (4.8 percent), 3. Viktor Hovland (3.5 percent)
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Betting odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds a full list.
| Player | Odds |
| Jon Rahm | (+1300) |
| Justin Thomas | (+1500) |
| Scottie Scheffler | (+1500) |
| Viktor Hovland | (+1500) |
| Dustin Johnson | (+2000) |
| Patrick Cantlay | (+2000) |
| Xander Schauffele | (+2000) |
| Collin Morikawa | (+2000) |
| Paul Casey | (+3000) |
| Louis Oosthuizen | (+3000) |
Betting card for the 2022 WGC Dell Match Play
Last week’s results: Valspar Championship
Viktor Hovland – Top 10: Miss
Louis Oosthuizen – Top 20: Miss
Matthew Fitzpatrick – Top 20: Cash (+170)
Shane Lowry – Top 20: Cash (+130)
Jason Kokrak – Top 20: Miss
Russell Knox – Top 20: Miss
Kevin Kisner – Top 20: Miss
Down two units on positions plays, six units on outrights at Valspar.
Up 16.69 units on position plays, and up 31.5 units on outright plays in 2022.
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