The 2009 Accenture Match Play Six Pack

I think it may have been Eminem who put it best, "Guess who's back...Guess Who's Back...Guess who's back???"

The long awaited, and frankly needed, return of Tiger Woods to golf is less than 12 hours away. One of the most coveted golf trophies in all of the world will be awarded to the best match player in just five short days.

The Accenture Match Play Championship in Dove Mountain in Arizona is one of the greatest and most unique events in all of the land.

Match play involves a different mind set. It allows the underdog to take more chances with out as much risk. It tests the strength of the mind more than stroke play.

It truly marks what players can let go of the previous hole and move on to the next, acting as though the previous never occurred.

Also this will be the first time this year we get to see NBC take a crack at the broadcast. Surely they cannot be any more painful than CBS has been. Last Saturdays telecast on CBS of the Northern Trust Open was, dare I say, unwatchable.

That is a story for another day.

Let's talk about the six pack for a moment. I have been tearing it up this year so far and look to continue crushing the field with astute analysis and accurate commentary.

Since Tiger is in the field this week, he is an astronomical favorite at 4/1 odds.

This is not even his best event. He has only won here three times and came in second once.

For anyone else that is a hell of an accomplishment. For Tiger Woods it marks a tournament that he clearly has not DOMINATED like he does in so many others. That being said, Tiger in my opinion deserves the 4/1 respect.

What that excessive favoritism means for you and me is value. I am talking extreme value, especially for some far more accomplished MATCH play golfers that lay in this field just waiting to be picked.

I know lots of you (like me) enjoy filling in the brackets. It's almost like NCAA March Madness practice, but different. Rather than list my entire bracket I will give you my sweet 16, bracket-by-bracket, then we will get to the six pack of who's actually gong to win.

FYI I will be posting a Mayakoba Classic six pack as well, with my Yahoo fantasy picks in a separate article.

Gary Player Bracket

Poulter vs. Scott Poulter
Quiros vs. Baddeley Baddeley Poulter will beat Baddeley

Sam Snead Bracket

Harrington vs. Furyk Harrington
Stenson vs. Choi Stenson Stenson will beat Harrington

Bobby Jones Bracket

Woods vs. Mahan Mahan
Ogilvy vs. Villegas Ogilvy Ogilvy will beat Mahan

Ben Hogan Bracket

Donald vs. D. Johnson Donald
Mickelson vs. Westwood Mickelson Mickelson beats Donald

FINAL FOUR

Ogilvy beats Mickelson
Poulter beats Stenson

Poulter beats Ogilvy to WIN
Stenson beats Mickelson for 3rd place

Without further ado, I present the illustrious six pack...

No. 1 Henrik Stenson

You can expect to see a lot of fist pumping from this guy over the next five days. This Dubai denizen via Sweden is one of the strongest match play golfers in the world.

He currently on top of his game, having just placed third in Dubai and second at the Qatar Masters. There is no question in my mind he will contend to win it all this week.

Stenson ranks fifth in putting on the European PGA Tour, and that is a clutch stat that directly carries over into match play.

Stenson offers exceptional value at 20/1 odds this week.

No. 2 Geoff Ogilvy

It may be considered sacrilege should I not include an Aussie in my six pack. I would be doing my hardcore fans a serious disservice had I opted to not include Mr. Geoff Ogilvy.

The Accenture really helped Ogilvy establish his mark on golf, and broke him into that "next" level of this sports elite layers. Ogilvy has only played in this event three times.

He won once, was runner up another time, and was uncharacteristically ousted in the second round last year.

Geoff ranks eighth in the OWGR and ranks first on tour for par breakers at 29 percent. That is an excellent transferable stat for match play.

I love Ogilvy's odds of 25/1 to win

No. 3 Padraig Harrington

Pictured above is Harrington's reaction when being posed the question, "Are you the guy that is going to give Tiger a run for his money this year?"

Let's face it Paddy has been in a bit of a rut lately, suffering cuts at both Pebble Beach as well as last weeks Northern Trust Open.

Harrington is a statistical anomaly. Most of his stats are ranked in the mid 100's on tour. His best stats I could find were obscure to say the least.

He ranks third on tour in something. Are you ready for this? He is third on tour in approaches from 50-75 yds at an average of 3'11" inches. Not a bad stat for the short par fours. I guess.

He is also 39th on tour in final round scoring average. Unfortunately this stat is meaningless in this weeks event.

Why is he in my six pack?

Well, first of all he is European, and this IS match play. Paddy is pretty keen in this format.

Secondly, Harrington knows that the world is watching him, and many are considering this to be a career defining tournament for him. I am amongst that crowd.

I know he can bring it in the majors. This is the next closest thing to a major in my opinion, so let's see what kind of stones this guy is swinging.

30/1 odds are acceptable here.

No. 4 Luke Donald

Luke Donald can stroke the paintbrush, yet it's that putter in his hand that will get him in contention this weekend.

Donald is not long, yet is accurate, and he is a true shot MAKER. He is a smart golfer and knows where to pick his spots. His mental game is tough, and his demeanor is relaxed. A lethal combination for match play success.

Luke has been on fire so far in this short lived season. He ranks 31st in the OWGR and is 6th on tour in putting.

He also is 3rd on tour on scoring birdie or better on par 5's at 62 percent! Both of these stats are terrific to bring to the table for match play.

Donald is a proven match play stud, and at 40/1 odds, I wish I could clone him and bet on him twice!

No. 5 Ian Poulter

Not many guys can wear pink pants and get away with it. I think that is the way God wanted it to be frank with you.

Then again, Ian Poulter is not "most guys"

I feel that Ian Poulter is going to win the whole thing this year. Like him or not, he was a stealthy, sly wild card pick by Nick Faldo for last years Ryder Cup team.

He is an accomplished match play golfer, and just placed T21 on the Euro tour at the Johnnie Walker Pro-Am.

Poulter has the most opportunity to succeed by being in the Gary Player bracket. He should have no problem taking out J.M. Singh in the first round, but it is that second round match up, that I am really looking forward to.

Should things go the way I think they will, Poulter will square off against Sergio Garcia in round two. This is his largest obstacle he must overcome to win this tournament.

If he takes Garcia out, and does so in large fashion, he will position himself nicely to ride a wave of confidence right through the championship match on Sunday.

Oh by the way, did I mention he is 66/1?

No. 6 Hunter Mahan

Hunter Mahan.

2008 Ryder Cup match play format.

Look it up.

Last year here it took Steve Stricker 20 holes to squeeze by Hunter.

66/1to win this year

'Nuff said.

Enjoy this weeks tournaments, and keep your eyes peeled for my Mayakoba Classic Six Pack, with my Yahoo Fantasy picks.