WGC Accenture Match Play Tips: The best second round bets

Bubba Watson's huge-hitting is a major asset around the Ritz-Carlton layout

Its day three at Dove Mountain, but we're still waiting for the last few first round matches to finish. Nevertheless, most of the last-32 line-up is complete, for which Paul Krishnamurty has several bets lined up...

Recommended Outright Bets

Back Hunter Mahan 6u @ 21.020/1
Back Nick Watney 4u @ 34.033/1
Back Fredrik Jacobson 3u @ 40.039/1

Thanks to a bizarre snow storm in the desert, it has taken two days and is still not yet completed, but the first round of the WGC Accenture Matchplay eventually lived up to it's longstanding reputation as a graveyard for favourite backers. By the end of play, the three pre-tournament market leaders - Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Charl Schwartzel - had all bitten the dust. So too had Lee Westwood and Dustin Johnson. Nor, I'm afraid to report, was it a good day for followers of my seven picks. All three Find Me a 100 Winner selections lost, while only Jason Day and Peter Hanson remain from my main four trading tips.

No matter, as that is the nature of the beast and with so many other big names out, the draw could yet open up for that remaining pair. Moreover, there is plenty of time and opportunity to add new trades. Today, I'm adding Hunter Mahan, Nick Watney and Fredrik Jacobson to the portfolio, at 21.020/1, 34.033/1 and 40.039/1 respectively.

First, I can't see why defending champion Mahan should be at these generous odds. He was magnificent last year and is in good form after a career-best Riviera effort last week. Furthermore, he's a strong favourite today against Richard Sterne. 
 
After a slow start, Watney made light work of David Toms yesterday and on past tournament form, is strongly fancied to beat Steve Stricker today. Whereas Watney has won two thirds of his matches in this event, all on this course where his power off the tee offers a big advantage, Stricker has won only three out of nine matches at Dove Mountain.

Jacobson, who so nearly made a play-off at Riviera on Sunday, also rates a strong favourite today against rank outsider Marcus Fraser. Just getting past these opponents will mesn our picks shorten considerably in the betting and who knows what carnage will occur elsewhere in the draw. 

Match Bets

Back Nicolas Colsaerts to beat Justin Rose 5u @ 2.245/4

The betting for this match looks a classic illustration of how strokeplay form can be overstated. Colsaerts is the reigning Volvo World Matchplay champion and starred during the Ryder Cup, strongly suggesting he's better in this head-to-head format. The Belgian's extreme power is a significant asset around the Ritz-Carlton, especially on the par-fives. In contrast, while Rose is fast establishing himself as one of the world's very best in the weekly strokeplay events, he's never done much here, winning only two matches from six at this venue and didn't produce anything like his best yesterday. Having cruised to a 5 & 4 victory on his tournament debut against Bill Haas, Colsaerts is a confident pick at odds-against.

Back Robert Garrigus to beat Louis Oosthuizen 4u @ 2.245/4

Almost identical logic applies here. Oosty took a long time to dismiss rank outsider Richie Ramsay yesterday, while big-hitting Garrigus hammered Brandon Grace. That was his matchplay debut, but Garrigus' style suggests the format should suit. While he can usually be relied upon for a stack of birdies, those all too frequent, ruinous disaster holes will only cost one hole at a time. Again, while Oosthuizen is a class act, his matchplay record is weak, winning only two from six at the Ritz-Carlton.

Bubba Watson to beat Jim Furyk 6u @ 1.814/5

Finally another recommendation to back the big-hitter. Bubba will enjoy an enormous advantage in this respect and must rate one of the leading contenders after yesterday's carnage. Two years ago, he made a huge impression at the Ritz-Carlton en-route to the semis and another strong bid looks on the cards. It would be harsh to dismiss Furyk lightly, especially after an excellent win over Ryan Moore, but he is another big-name that has never got the hang of this event. In 12 cracks at the World Matchplay, he's never reached the quarter-finals.