IT MAKES SENSE THAT RECENT defending champions of the WGC-Accenture Match Play would have impressive head-to-head records. They include Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Hunter Mahan and Matt Kuchar.
Poulter, for instance, was 22-11 before going home early yesterday. And Donald was 17-8 before slamming his trunk on Wednesday. With his win yesterday, Mahan is 16-5 (although currently down to Richard Sterne after 14 holes). Rory McIlroy (10-5) and Martin Kaymer (11-6) also had good records coming in.
Kuchar seems like the man to beat. Following was his resume as the week began.
Matt Kuchar (15-3)
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| Matt Kuchar is reigning match play champion. (Allison) |
2010
R1: beat Anthony Kim, 3 and 2
R2: lost to Jeev Milkha Singh, 1-down
2011
R1: beat Anders Hansen, 22 holes
R2: beat Bo Van Pelt, 3 and 2
R3: beat Rickie Fowler, 2 and 1
QF: beat Y.E. Yang, 2 and 1
SF: lost to Luke Donald, 6 and 5
Consolation: beat Bubba Watson, 2 and 1
2012
R1: beat Jonathan Byrd, 1-up
R2: beat Bubba Watson, 3 and 2
R3: beat Martin Kaymer, 4 and 3
QF: lost to Hunter Mahan, 6 and 5
2013
R1: beat Hiroyuki Fujita, 3 and 2
R2: beat Sergio Garcia, 2 and 1
R3: beat Nicolas Colsaerts, 4 and 3
QF: beat Robert Garrigus, 3 and 2
SF: beat Jason Day, 4 and 3
Final: beat Hunter Mahan, 2 and 1
“Kooch” won his opening match and is currently leading his second-round contest against Ryan Moore.