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GolfTalkCentral

Day 3 predictions Snead and Player brackets

By Rex Hoggard
Feb 23, 2012 8:38 PM ET

MARANA, Ariz. – Eight matches will comprise the third round of the 2012 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. GolfChannel.com senior writers Randall Mell and Rex Hoggard are on site and offer up predictions on Day 3. Hoggard takes on the Player and Snead brackets. (Click for Mell's Jones and Hogan brackets)

GARY PLAYER BRACKET

Rory McIlroy vs. Miguel Angel Jimenez

The winner: McIlroy

The lowdown: The Mechanic hasn’t seen the 18th tee this week and had his hands full with Keegan Bradley on Thursday, but McIlroy is playing for the world No. 1, which he can become if he wins the Match Play.

John Senden vs. Sang-Moon Bae

The winner: Bae

The lowdown: The Korean may be a rookie on Tour this year but he hasn’t played like one this week, taking down Match Play staple Ian Poulter (Round 1) and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel (Round 2).

SAM SNEAD BRACKET

Lee Westwood vs. Nick Watney

The winner: Westwood

The lowdown: Watney has a history of coming out flat after a big win at the Match Play and Westwood hasn’t missed many shots this week. The Englishman may also be looking for a little revenge, having lost to Watney in the second round the last two years.

Martin Laird vs. Paul Lawrie

The winner: Laird

The lowdown: Laird has quietly pieced together a solid resume this week with victories against Matteo Manassero (Round 2) and Alvaro Quiros (Round 1) and he has putted well all week.

Watch live coverage of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship on Golf Channel, Friday 2-6PM ET; Saturday noon-2PM ET; Sunday 8AM-1PM ET. NBC coverage can be seen live Saturday/Sunday, 2-6PM ET.