Matches We'd Like To See

By Alex Myers

February 19, 2012

Rory McIlroy vs. Tiger Woods

As much as the two have been compared and talked about, they have rarely contended in the same tournament and have played together even less. In fact, their recent pairing in Abu Dhabi was the first time they teed it up in the same group in an official tournament. Tiger got the better of that meeting, but hopefully, there will be plenty more in the future.

Steve Stricker vs. Matt Kuchar

They say nice guys finish last, but these two kind souls have made a living winning or at least finishing high on leader boards. One problem. Would anyone ever win with both player conceding every putt?

Nick Watney vs. Bill Haas

At quick glance, this pair of long-hitting, young Americans will have some spectators thinking they are witnessing cloning history. Shown here playing together during the Presidents Cup, would anyone have known if they had cheated in alternate shot? If they happen to play against each other in this event, perhaps Haas should be required to go hat-less to expose his, um, shaved head to make the crowd less confused.

Gary Woodland vs. Alvaro Quiros

If it's true that chicks dig the long ball, then this potential pairing would draw the biggest amount of female attention. The fact that they are both built like football players probably wouldn't hurt either...

Luke Donald vs. Lee Westwood

These two share a lot more in common than simply being great friends and having the distinction of currently being the best players in the world to have never won a major. There's the whole being British, the friendly Twitter banter, and that two-man synchronized swimming team they started up a few years back. OK, so we made that last part up.

Keegan Bradley vs. Webb Simpson

The PGA Tour's two biggest breakout stars of 2011 are also the poster children for belly putters, especially since they are about 23.5 years younger than the typical player wielding one.

Ian Poulter vs. Rickie Fowler

If nothing else, you can expect a lot of color from two of the foremost fashion trendsetters on tour. Given some advance notice, we'd love to see them try to one-up each other -- with their clothing, of course.

Rory McIlroy vs. Adam Scott

Aside from being two of the best golfers in the world, we'd love to hear these guys talk about what it's like to have beautiful tennis players as girlfriends. Perhaps it could even spark a made-for-TV mixed doubles match. We hear Rory has developed a mean kick serve.

Y.E. Yang vs. Robert Rock

What could these two players possibly have to talk about? Oh yeah, how about taking down Tiger Woods in a final pairing on Sunday. Yang put an end to Woods' 54-hole-lead dominance at the 2009 PGA Championship, and Rock recently continued that trend in Abu Dhabi.

Ryo Ishikawa vs. Matteo Manassero

A "future-of-the-game" pairing, these two guys' combined age (38) is the same as that of Lee Westwood. Coincidentally, that's also the total number of times they've been allowed by their parents to stay out past their bedtime.

Peter Hanson vs. Anders Hansen

OK, we'll admit it. Other than Hanson's recent Ryder Cup appearance, we probably wouldn't be able to distinguish between these two guys ranked 35th and 36th in the world. It's just too bad Soren Hansen didn't qualify as well. Then you could really cue up the inevitable Hanson Brothers jokes.

Tiger Woods vs. Adam Scott

This one isn't so much about the players, but that guy in the foreground (above). Caddie Steve Williams has had plenty to say following being let go by his former boss, Woods. The two crossed paths for the first time since at the Presidents Cup, but we never get tired of seeing awkward handshakes.

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