The beauty of match play in golf is that nothing ever goes to plan. At least, if there is a script, it is almost always ripped up within minutes of a match starting as an underdog begins bloodying the nose of their fancied opponent.
This captivating theme was evident once again at Austin Country Club during the playing of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in late March when Sam Burns put world number one Scottie Scheffler to the sword in the semi-final.
Against all odds
In theory, it was a result that shouldn’t have happened on account of the gulf in class between the players. Consider for a second that Burns is at 28/1 in the latest golf US Masters odds for the upcoming showdown at Augusta National whilst Scheffler is one of the standout favourites at 13/2.
Will the recently crowned 2023 WGC Match Play champion finish above Scheffler at the Masters? It’s unlikely, but during match play, as we’ve just seen, all bets are off as the contest is decided by more than just ability; it is a psychological battle as much as anything.
Come out swinging
Players are free to play as aggressively as they like because one bad hole won’t wreck their chances of finishing the week as the overall champion – the worst that can happen after a blowout is that they lose the hole.
This often leads players to take on riskier shots than they normally would during a stroke play event. Again, this cavalier approach was on display during the playing of the WGC event at Austin Country Club. Sure, an attempt to hit the green from 300 yards out whilst confronted with a blustery Texas wind may end up in the Colorado River, but if it does, a player will simply pick up and move on to the next hole.
Essentially, the advantage given to a player who wins a hole is a slim one that can be immediately given back during match play. It is golf’s version of a puncher’s chance and it leaves you on the edge of your seat.
Getting inside an opponent’s head
In addition to a strategy that throws caution to the wind which is not evident during any other week on the PGA Tour, match play also offers up intriguing storylines that remain in golfing folklore. Who can forget the 2019 WGC Match Play when Sergio Garcia missed a seven-foot putt to win the hole against Matt Kuchar, only for the Spaniard’s ball to finish up an inch from the cup?
A nonchalant Garcia, expecting the putt to be conceded and the hole to be halved, then walked up to his ball and missed the putt. To the Spaniard’s amazement, an unimpressed Kuchar had been lurking on the edge of the green and watching his every move before telling him he hadn’t conceded the one-inch putt, meaning that the American won the hole on a technicality.
Did this remarkable incident reflect badly on Kuchar? It depends on who you ask. Does the American regret his actions? Possibly. But was this box office entertainment? Absolutely.
The curios decision to scrap a hugely popular event
The inescapable truth is that match play provides golf fans with a refreshing alternative to stroke play events that take place week in and week out. With this in mind, it beggars belief that the PGA Tour has decided not to renew its contract with Austin Country Club, which means that from 2024 onwards, this famous match-play event will not feature on the tour calendar.
During a time when innovation is the only chance the PGA Tour has of winning the viewing wars against LIV Golf, scrapping an event that made their product unique is a curious move.
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