Exit Stage Left(y)

by Mulligan Stu on Feb 21, 2008 9:24 PM EST Comment 1 comment

Phil Mickelson is gone.

It's not that big a surprise, really, that Mickelson is out in the second round (losing to Stuart Appleby) of the WGC Accenture Match Play. If this were a stroke play event, and Phil missed the cut, that would be surprising. In match play, anything can happen. It wouldn't even be a huge surprise had it been Woods, instead of or in addition to Mickelson, getting the boot. It's just the nature of match play.

It's still disappointing to have to give up so early on the dream of a Woods-Mickelson final.

Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Padraig Harrington also fell today; Garcia to Boo Weekley, Scott to Woody Austin, Harrington to Stewart Cink. And Colin Montgomerie moved on, dispatching Charles Howell III.

David Toms dropped out with a back injury, sending Aaron Baddeley unoppposed into the third round, where he will most definitely be opposed. By El Tigre.

The third-round matchups:

Tiger Woods vs. Aaron Baddeley
Paul Casey vs. K.J. Choi
Jonathan Byrd vs. Henrik Stenson
Woody Austin vs. Boo Weekley
Stuart Appleby vs. Justin Leonard
Rod Pampling vs. Vijay Singh
Steve Stricker vs. Angel Cabrera
Colin Montgomerie vs. Stewart Cink

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Tough choices

Can Johnathan Byrd continue playing like this ? He has demolished his first two opponents - making Ernie Els look awful, and making Romero play on emotion. But now he faces a stoic swede and defending champion in Henrik Stenson. Question is - will Stenson bring a new 3-wood to the course today in hopes of losing that hosel rocket he found in the first two matches ? (don't bet against the streak - Byrd)

Appleby v Leonard could be fascinating - a real shot maker's match. (Appleby's length gets it done)

Stricker v Cabrera - steady vs streaky. Stricker is solid, but Cabrera can get on a run and bury a steady player. (Stricker's putter is working)

Weekley v Austin - I want this match mic'd !! This could be some great conversation. Two "regular guys" who don't go in for a lot of hype. Not enough water on the course to drown Austin or distract the fisherman Weekley. (Weekley...because I had him in the final four to begin with)

Monty has a goal of getting back to Augusta AND he is facing a Ryder Cup foe. Monty can be awefully good when he has a chip on his shoulder. Cink wore down another good Euro Ryder Cupper yesterday. (Cink - he's a Ga Tech and Atlanta guy)(I didn't say they were scientific picks)