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WGC-Accenture Match Play: Saturday Preview

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Friday at the WGC-Accenture Match  Play was action-packed, showcasing the unique thrill that only the match play format can provide. From Ernie Els and Graeme McDowell’s improbable victories, to interesting concessions and hard-fought wins, Friday’s matches had it all.

And more than likely Saturday will feature more of the same theater.

Here’s a look at the day’s matches.

10:05 a.m MT (12:05 p.m. ET): Louis Oosthuizen (8) vs. Jason Day (2)

In the Bobby Jones bracket, eighth seed Louis Oosthuizen will take on second seed Jason Day. Oosthuizen handily disposed of Webb Simpson 5&4 in the round of 16. Jason Day, for his part, beat 14th-seeded George Coetzee 3&1.

The Day-Oosthuizen match is an interesting one. Day, the 11th ranked player in the world, has started the season strong, finishing tied for second at the Farmers Insurance Open. His 1-up win over Billy Horschel in 22 holes indicated a real fire in the Aussie’s belly. Oosthuizen is still rounding into form after an injury-plagued 2013. He is a player who nobody would have been surprised to see gone in the round of 64. The South African, now 35th in the Official World Golf Rankings, has endured in this competition, however.

10:20 a.m. MT (12:20 p.m. ET): Jim Furyk (5) vs. Rickie Fowler (14)

In the Ben Hogan bracket, Jim Furyk (5) will face Rickie Fowler (14). Furyk beat ninth-seeded Harris English 1 up with a trademark gritty performance. Fowler was the beneficiary of an early match concession from Spaniard Sergio Garcia, which contributed to the latter’s downfall when he blew a 3-up lead.

This too, is a great matchup. In the battle of the American golfers whose last names start with “F,” Furyk obviously has the edge in terms of experience. Fowler, the lowest-seeded golfer still alive in the competition, surprised a lot of people by knocking off match play maestro Ian Poulter 2&1 in the opening round. He’s been rolling since then.

Maybe it’s the haircut that’s been bolstering Rickie’s play, but I believe whatever Fowler is working on with Butch Harmon has will give his game the nudge it needs. He’d missed three consecutive cuts entering this week. Now, after the surprise win over Poulter, it could be midnight at the ball for the 14th-seeded Cinderella, or it could be another step toward a breakout win.

11:45 a.m. MT (1:45 p.m. ET): Ernie Els (8) vs. Jordan Spieth (3)

Ernie Els (8) and Jordan Spieth (3) will square off to decide the winner of the Gary Player bracket. Els putted like a younger version of himself and dug deep into his bag of tricks to dispose of Jason Dufner (4) 1 up. Third-seeded Jordan Spieth unleashed a birdie barrage (totaling nine tweeters) to vanquish Matt Kuchar Friday.

The obvious angle for this matchup is old vs. young: A great golfer in his golden years vs. a prodigious young talent ready to explode. Els was incredible in his win over Jason Dufner and seems to be filled with a measure of confidence. Spieth, who already has two top-1o finishes this year, has been stepping on throats in this competition so far: the 20-year-old dominated Thomas Bjorn 5&4 yesterday.

12:00 p.m. MT (2:00 p.m. ET): Graeme McDowell (4) vs. Victor Dubuisson (7)

In the Sam Snead bracket, the escape artist Graeme McDowell (4) will face seventh seeded Victor Dubuisson. McDowell inexplicably is still in the competition despite never having led in any of his three matches. He took down Hunter Mahan in the round of 16 with a birdie on the third playoff hole after canning a 20-footer for par at the 18th to extend the match. Dubuisson narrowly beat Bubba Watson (3) 1 up.

The story of this competition for McDowell is…what the heck is he still doing in this competition? Three days in a row he’s been dead to rights. Three days in a row he’s snatched an improbable victory. Dubuisson, for his part, secured an improbable victory of his own over Northern Trust Open winner Bubba Watson. I don’t know if I’d bet on McDowell to lead the match at any point, but I certainly wouldn’t bet against him winning it.

T.V. Times:

12:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET on Golf Channel

2:00-6:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. JM

    Feb 22, 2014 at 11:08 am

    Some interesting matchups for sure!

    Also McDowell has led every one of his matches, it just so happens he did not lead them until the final hole

  2. mick

    Feb 22, 2014 at 8:38 am

    $100 on Jason Day

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