2019 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play expert picks, rankings, fantasy golf and betting tips
Fantasy Golf & Golf Betting PGA Tour

2019 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play expert picks, rankings, fantasy golf and betting tips

The WGC Dell Technologies Match Play logo


Looking for 2019 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play picks, either for betting or fantasy golf games like DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo, Golf Channel or the PGA Tour?

We have your 2019 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play rankings and expert picks, as we do each week of the PGA Tour season.

The PGA Tour has two events this week, and the lead event is the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas. Austin Country Club hosts once again as the top 64 available players in the world compete over five days to determine a champion.

Making fantasy predictions for this event is always particularly difficult given the fickle nature of match play. Going to a round-robin format for the first three days frankly hasn't made it easier. So, we're taking some liberties here in making predictions, in each group, and then we'll play it down to a champion.

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Just to point to a great resource for match play records, Adam Sarson has compiled combined match play records for scores of players in all kinds of events.Worth a look here.

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2019 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play rankings: Group stage picks

  • Group 1: Dustin Johnson (1), Hideki Matsuyama (24), Branden Grace (40), Chez Reavie (55): Give me Dustin Johnson this week, particularly after missing out at Valspar with a poor Sunday.
  • Group 2: Justin Rose (2), Gary Woodland (22), Eddie Pepperell (34), Emiliano Grillo (53): I think this is going to be a big week for Eddie Pepperell, and I like him to upset the group.
  • Group 3: Brooks Koepka (3), Alex Noren (27), Haotong Li (36), Tom Lewis (60): On paper, Koepka could should slay, but his weight loss and lack of focus is an issue. Give me Haotong Li.
  • Group 4: Rory McIlroy (4), Matt Fitzpatrick (32), Justin Harding (47), Lust List (64): I expect Rory to win this group, but I wouldn't be shocked if Matt Fitzpatrick did.
  • Group 5: Justin Thomas (5), Keegan Bradley (31), Matt Wallace (33), Lucas Bjerregaard (50): I think Justin Thomas has something to prove this week, and he'll take the group.
  • Group 6: Bryson DeChambeau (6), Marc Leihsman (17), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (39), Russell Knox (59): Russell Knox could be tricky this week. I like the trajectory his form is on right now.
  • Group 7: Francesco Molinari (7), Webb Simpson (21), Thorbjorn Olesen (45), Satoshi Kodaira (63): Franky, all the way.
  • Group 8: Jon Rahm (8), Matt Kuchar (23), JB Holmes (43), Si Woo Kim (54): JB Holmes has done well in this championship, as has Kuch. I like Kuchar.
  • Group 9: Xander Schauffele (9), Rafa Cabrera Bello (29), Tyrrell Hatton (35), Lee Westwood (62): I'm very high on Rafa in general, as well in this group.
  • Group 10: Paul Casey (10), Cameron Smith (25), Charles Howell III (42), Abraham Ancer (58): Paul Casey is too steady tee-to-green; he'll apply a ton of pressure.
  • Group 11: Tommy Fleetwood (11), Louis Oosthuizen (19), Kyle Stanley (41), Byeong Hun An (49): Gimme Tommy Fleetwood. Ben An is the sleeper.
  • Group 12: Jason Day (12), Phil Mickelson (20), Henrik Stenson (37), Jim Furyk (52): Jim Furyk could be a fascinating upset given he's playing for a Masters berth. I like him here.
  • Group 13: Tiger Woods (13), Patrick Cantlay (18), Brandt Snedeker (44), Aaron Wise (61): I think Tiger has the game to go 3-0-0 in group play, especially his tee-to-green form.
  • Group 14: Tony Finau (14), Ian Poulter (30), Kevin Kisner (48), Keith Mitchell (56): Kevin Kisner is on the way back, but I think Ian Poulter handles this group.
  • Group 15: Bubba Watson (15), Jordan Spieth (28), Billy Horschel (38), Kevin Na (57): Bubba seems to have dismissed his chances to repeat, so give me Billy Horschel.
  • Group 16: Patrick Reed (16), Sergio Garcia (26), Shane Lowry (46), Andrew Putnam (51): I think Sergio Garcia has this group, given this is a home game of sorts and his current form.

2019 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play rankings: Group stage picks

Round of 16

  • 1 vs. 16: Dustin Johnson vs. Sergio Garcia -- I like Sergio in a big upset.
  • 8 vs. 9: Matt Kuchar vs. Rafa Cabrera Bello -- I would love Rafa in this matchup, as I think he's still in good form.
  • 4 vs. 13: Rory McIlroy vs. Tiger Woods -- OH BABY! I think this would be McIlroy's day to learn from the master. Tiger wins.
  • 5 vs. 12: Justin Thomas vs. Jim Furyk -- Justin Thomas should overwhelm Furyk.
  • 6 vs: 11: Russell Knox vs. Tommy Fleetwood -- Fleetwood is just too good for Knox, though I think Knox could pull an upset.
  • 3 vs. 14: Haotong Li vs. Ian Poulter -- Poulter is playing far too well to lose this match.
  • 7 vs. 10: Francesco Molinari vs. Paul Casey -- Casey has been steadier this year than Franky, but it'd be a ballstriking clinic with Casey winning.
  • 2 vs. 15: Eddie Pepperell vs. Billy Horschel -- Can you imagine how much fun this match would be? I'd take Pepperell.

Quarterfinals

  • Sergio Garcia vs. Rafa Cabrera Bello -- In a match of Spaniards, I like Sergio Garcia to move on.
  • Tiger Woods vs. Justin Thomas -- I think this is where JT gets a big win over his frequent practice partner.
  • Tommy Fleetwood vs. Ian Poulter -- Fleetwood could be in for a big week with this draw. Tommy in extra holes.
  • Paul Casey vs. Eddie Pepperell -- Casey could be stymied by Pepperell, but I think Casey is into the semis.

Semifinals

  • Sergio Garcia vs. Justin Thomas -- Justin Thomas can outlast Sergio, particularly with his power game that plays well at ACC.
  • Tommy Fleetwood vs. Paul Casey -- Such a tough match to call, but I think I'd like Fleetwood here with a frustrating putter for Casey.

Final

  • Justin Thomas vs. Tommy Fleetwood -- I see this as JT's week.

My primary DraftKings lineup

  1. Justin Thomas - $11,000
  2. Paul Casey - $9,100
  3. Matt Kuchar - $8,100
  4. Ian Poulter - $7,700
  5. Rafa Cabrera Bello - $7,500
  6. Russell Knox - $6,600

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About the author

Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is currently a +2.6 USGA handicap, and he has covered dozens of major championships and professional golf tournaments. He likes writing about golf and making it more accessible by answering the complex questions fans have about the pro game or who want to understand how to play golf better.

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