Dell Technologies Match Play
“Keep Austin Weird.” The PGA Tour is trying its best this week with a mix of round-robin and bracket match play for the Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club. There will be thrills and spoilers, doubles and eagles, confusion and elation. One of the most fun tournaments of the year pits the best in the world in an old fashioned game of golf, just like Tom Morris would have played back in the old country (well maybe it’s a bit different these days…). Broken into pods of 4 players for the first 3 rounds, each player needs to win his pod before moving onto the 16 man bracket. It’s been a great change for the tour, taking away any chance that the big names are knocked out on the first day and we’re left with a less interesting final match. No chance of that in Austin, though. I can’t wait to see how “weird” this week gets.
Gregatron’s Pick of the Week: Ian Poulter
The Postman is incredible in a match play format, as one of our golfballin crew likes to remind us each week (right M.B.?). I’m usually hesitant to pick Poulter, but stats are stats. He’s a former champion of this event in 2010 and is riding a wave of solid golf coming into the week. In 7 events, he’s had 5 top-25s and almost won in Mexico. He has a tough group to go through, needing to take down Kisner, Finau and Mitchell, but once he wins the group play it’s straight to the finals for Europe’s Ryder Cup hero.
Back to the Range Bro: Keegan Bradley
The Vermonter is having a resurgence the last two seasons after figuring out the whole “putting” thing. He’s in great form, but has to overtake Justin Thomas in group play. Keegan’s only won 1 match in his career, and had an infamous run-in with Miguel Angel Jimenez a few years ago over a drop dispute. I think he’ll make a run toward the bracket but will fall short when Thomas beats him on Friday.
Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship
Elsewhere on the PGA Tour, the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship is being played as a second field event in the Dominican Republic. It’s a chance for the lower ranked FedEx cup players and wiry veterans to snag a top-ten or quick win. If you’re up for some late night Golf Channel this weekend, tune in for some heartwarming story lines as guys battle for their tour cards.
Gregatron’s Pick of the Week: Aaron Baddeley
Badds is having a nice season including two top-5 finishes. He’s looking to make the FedEx Cup playoffs for the first time since 2016 and is well on his way to the postseason, currently ranked 68th. He’s a great putter, and does well in second field events, placing T-2 in Puerto Rico this year and winning the Barbasol Championship in 2016. I think he sews up his tour status with a victory this week.
Back to the Range Bro: Tony Romo
I love that more celebs are playing in tour sanctioned events. What a great way to get more people watching the game and beefing up the storylines! Tony had a rough go last year, shooting 77-82. Odds are the pressure and hype will see a couple decent scores but fall outside the cutline. I’ll be watching him grind it out on Friday though. He’s living our dream. Rooting for you all the way, Tony!
Weekly Pick Scoreboard:
Gregatron’s Picks of the Week
Events: 15
Wins: 1
Top-tens: 7
Top-25s: 11
Missed cuts: 1
Average Made Cut Finish: 15th
Back to the Range Bro Club:
Events: 15
Wins: 0
Top-tens: 4
Top-25s: 4
Missed cuts: 3
Average Made Cut Finish: 27th