WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play match previews Day 1

AUSTIN, Texas -- The first 32 matches of this week's World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play are set for Wednesday at Austin Country Club. Here's a look at some of the notable Day 1 matches, plus our expert picks for each one.

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NOTABLE MATCHES

Phil Mickelson (20) vs. Henrik Stenson (37). If these two come close to the kind of golf they produced at the 2016 Open Championship, it will be quite the show. Stenson, of course, shot 63 in the final round to beat Mickelson’s 65 and win the Open at Royal Troon as the two distanced themselves by more than 10 strokes from the rest of the field.

Tiger Woods (13) vs. Aaron Wise (61). When Tiger hits his opening tee shot Wednesday, it’ll be the first time he’s struck a ball in a competitive round in the state of Texas since missing the cut at the 2005 AT&T Byron Nelson. Historical note aside, Woods could get quite the test from Wise, who just happened to win the Nelson last year at Trinity Forest. Wise's college coach at Oregon, Casey Martin, was a teammate of Tiger's at Stanford. "He said a lot of good things about [Wise] when he was being recruited, as well as when he was in college," Woods said. "Amazing talent."

Ian Poulter (30) vs. Kevin Kisner (48). Poulter – the “Match Play Ninja” according to Golf Channel – vs. last year’s finalist in Kisner. They met last year in the quarterfinals, with Kisner beating Poulter, 8 and 6, in one of the most lopsided wins in Match Play history. The revenge factor should offer the Ninja added incentive.

BOMBERS PARADISE

Rory McIlroy (4) vs. Luke List (64) – List ranks third in driving distance this season; McIlroy has been the leader in that category the last two seasons and is currently fourth. Big hitters have thrived on this course, but the newly crowned PLAYERS champion is determined to avoid the Day 1 loss he's suffered the last two years. "It's imperative to win the first match," McIlroy said Tuesday.

INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE

Marc Leishman (17) vs. Kiradech Aphibarnat (39) – Leishman, from Australia, is currently leading the International Team points standings for this year’s Presidents Cup. Aphibarnrat, from Thailand, is 16th and looking to move up.

Hideki Matsuyama (24) vs. Branden Grace (40) – International teammates the past three Presidents Cup, Japan’s Matsuyama is third in the standings while South Africa’s Grace is 15th.

CAN YOU SMELL UPSET?

Jason Day (12) vs. Jim Furyk (52) – Hard to imagine Day – the winner in Austin in 2016 – having early trouble. But Furyk’s in form and should force Day to play his best in a group that also includes Mickelson and Stenson.

Paul Casey (10) vs. Abraham Ancer (58) – Call it the winner’s hangover after Casey’s successful defense at Valspar. Casey failed to get out of group play last year, and he admits that Austin CC hasn’t been great for him. Ancer is hungry to make an International Team statement.

Tony Finau (14) vs. Keith Mitchell (56) – Mitchell loves the Florida Bermuda greens and broke through at The Honda Classic. Austin has TifEagle Bermudagrass overseeded with Poa trivialis and bentgrass. Have no clue if that will make a difference but it sounds pretty scientific.

Expert Picks for every match

PGATOUR.COM staff writers Ben Everill and Mike McAllister are on site in Austin and will predict the winner of every match each day. Here are their Day 1 picks (matches listed in order of playing schedule):