Three Ball Bets / Dan Geraghty / 22 February 2012 / 2

Dan Geraghty makes his selections for the first round two balls at the WGC Accenture Matchplay...

Last week was a case of one step forward, one step back.

On to this week and the WGC Accenture Matchplay is the pinnacle of the two ball bet. Whereas most weeks, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter who wins the daily two/three balls (I'm sure a few players have a few quid on the side), this week, winning your two ball is all important and the only way to progress.

Webb Simpson [1.56] makes his debut in this event, which is remarkable because it feels like he's been around forever. His opponent Matteo Manassero turned a few heads on his own debut here last year but has unexpectedly struggled in recent times. Clearly a year is a long time in golf, I expect Simpson to comfortably come out on top in their first round encounter.

Justin Rose [1.78] is currently something of a forgotten man. He won twice in 2010 (nearly three in a row!) and once last year and somehow managed to avoid the most recent Ryder Cup. He's not garnered many column inches this year yet but has been quietly impressive in his two appearances so far (most recently 13th at last week's Northern Trust Open). He should be more acclimatised this week than Paul Lawrie, who is used to plying his trade in Europe (and outside the World's top 64).

Geoff Ogilvy [2.1] is a standing dish round here. Young Keegan Bradley is certainly in fine form but I can't have him favourite over two time champion Ogilvy on his Accenture Matchplay debut. No, no, no.

Rickie Fowler [1.9] caught many an eye at the last Ryder Cup and he made a good matchplay impression here last year, beating Peter Hanson and Phil Mickelson before giving best to Matt Kuchar. Rickie has a tough first round match up with David Toms but youth can win the day.

I just can't get Anders Hansen's horrible putting against Matt Kuchar last year out of my head. At one point Kuchar had taken off his hat ready to shake hands but another missed Hansen 2 footer meant the match rolled on. This year the Dane faces Kyung Tae Kim [2.1] in the final match of the first round. The Korean's stock rose after some impressive display's last year, not least in Australia, at the Presidents Cup and Australian PGA. Kim can take down Hansen on this, his second visit to the WGC Accenture Matchplay.

Steve Stricker is clearly beatable round here, he was shocked by Manassero in the first round last year and Kevin Na [2.6] is a tougher draw than he appears at first glance. Na struggled a little last week but prior to that he was in the top five two weeks in a row. Now that he has the tour win he so craved, Na may well be a different proposition and he can sink putts when the pressure is on.

Recommended Bets

First round matches

16:05 Webb Simpson [1.56] - 2 points win

14:55 Justin Rose [1.78] - 2 points win

18:15 Geoff Ogilvy [2.1] - 2 points win

18:35 Rickie Fowler [1.9] - 1 point win

19:35 Kyung Tae Kim [2.1] - 1 point win

15:45 Kevin Na [2.6] - 1 point win

Season Profit/Loss: -3.02 points

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1. ste | 23 February 2012

   Rubbish pal just rubbish give it up now. Ogilvy was playing some1 bang in form and so was Lawrie. Fowler been out of form what were you playing at, time to watch tiddlywinks for you pal

2. Dan | 23 February 2012

   Disaster indeed! thanks for piping up afterwards and kicking me while down Ste! Yes Bradley was fantastic, 8 under through 15, Lawrie also very good, close game. Fowler was unfortunate, classy in defeat.

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