WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Review 2018

He's never been one to follow the script, but golf fans have learnt to expect the unexpected with Bubba Watson. Three Majors, two WGC titles and eleven PGA Tour wins later, he's certainly a man for the big occasions. His 7&6 Sunday afternoon victory over Kevin Kisner made light work of what should have been a gruelling championship game, but the two-time Masters winner was no less emotional in celebration.

Elite Eliminations

World No. 1, current tournament champion and nailed-on favourite Dustin Johnson: eliminated with a day to spare. World No. 3 and last year's runner-up Jon Rahm: eliminated with a day to spare. World No... Oh, you get the picture. 14 of the world's top 18 entered the WGC Match Play; 4 made it to the knockout stages. Jordan Spieth fell to regular teammate Patrick Reed on Friday, Hideki Matsuyama carded back-to-back losses after opening with a win and Rory McIlroy's 1-2 record was flattering as he never really got going. Sergio Garcia and Tyrrell Hatton both lost in the first knockout round. Alex Noren and Justin Thomas both suffered semi-final defeats, but the loss was far more bitter for JT, who could have stolen the World No. 1 spot from DJ with a win over Bubba Watson. Third-place playoffs may be the least inspired matches in sport, and Noren's defeat of JT was the epitome of that.

In an event that usually brings the best players to the surface, the lack of top-10 representation in the knockouts will have bookies scratching their heads for Masters odds. Right now, the smart money is in your pocket.

Poulter Pain

When Ian Poulter dug out his 2012 Ryder Cup Miracle at Medinah putter, Tommy Fleetwood's fate was sealed. The veteran eased past the 27-year-old 3&2 to start the ball rolling on an undefeated group stage. The match play demon looked on his way to the kind of big-time result that would ensure an unlikely Masters qualification. In fact, after an impressive eight-birdie victory over Louis Oosthuizen, Poulter was told by multiple sources that he had qualified. But 10 minutes before teeing off in the quarter final against Kisner, a text message informed him that he actually hadn't qualified and would need another win to make the cut. Then, he crumbled. 8&6, to be precise.

Watson Wins

Bubba opened with a 5&3 after going 6UP at the turn and immediately looked like a contender. Despite halving his final group game against Julian Suri, it was a consistent tournament for the 39-year-old. He conquered Brian Harman 2&1, then an extremely fatigued Kiradech Aphibarnrat (5&3) practically handed him a play to the semi-final. Justin Thomas admitted to being distracted by the prospect of becoming World No. 1 as Bubba took control of the contest from the get-go. Bubba's scorecard boasted 3 birdies, an eagle and a lone bogey as he led from start to finish and came out 3&2 victor.

A bizarre tournament ended in bizarre fashion, with Bubba Watson's 7&6 victory the largest winning margin since the WGC changed to an 18-hole final in 2011. It was a damp squib; Kisner lost as much as Bubba won. Not the type of final that any fan wanted to see, to be quite honest, but they all count; especially this close to the Masters.

Bubba Watson wins the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play