The WGC Dell-Technologies Match Play stages its 24th edition this week at Austin Country Club, with Ryan Fox and Adrian Meronk set for their debut appearances.
The 64-man international field for the five-day tournament in Texas features eight of the top ten players on the Official World Golf Ranking.
World Number One Scottie Scheffler is seeking to become only the second player after Tiger Woods in 2004 to successfully defend his title.
Fox and Meronk, who hold five DP World Tour titles between them, are among 13 players making their first starts in the tournament as the pair target their first win on US soil.
Here, we profile the form of the duo and hear their thoughts as they look to become the first player to win on their event debut since Geoff Ogilvy in 2006.
Ryan Fox
The Kiwi enjoyed a stellar year in 2022, finishing a career-high second on the season-long Rankings. He won twice, taking his tally of DP World Tour victories to three, and registered four runner-up finishes and four further top tens across the season as he moved to a career-high 23rd on the Official World Golf Ranking. With a debut appearance at the Masters Tournament just two weeks away, the 36-year-old arrives in Texas on the back of an encouraging start to 2023. He is yet to miss a cut in six worldwide appearances, registering top-30 finishes on debut at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship in his last two events.
Q. How are you feeling going into the Match Play?
A. I am looking forward to it. I played the golf course this morning and it seems like a lot of fun, a great course for match play. I enjoyed playing match play as an amateur so I am looking forward to giving it a crack as a pro.
Q. There is a lot of risk and reward on the course. Does that work well going into match play?
A. I think so. That is what you want, right? Lots of chances to make birdies and [lends itself] to hopefully lots of chances to win or lose holes which is great for everyone watching at home. I think it is cool for us as well, it gives you plenty of options depending on what is going on in the match. The golf course is a great match play golf course, I am looking forward to seeing it over the next couple of days.
Q. This week is a change from the regular stroke play events. How does that alter the mindset?
A. You can definitely be more aggressive. Obviously, you are not worried about making sixes or sevens. If you hit a couple of bad shots, it is just the loss of a hole. I generally play aggressive anyway so it probably won’t change the mindset too much. I enjoyed playing match play as an amateur a lot so hopefully I have still got those juices flowing as a professional.
Q. You won the World Super 6 Perth in 2019. What are your memories of that coming into this week?
A. Six-hole match play is a lot different than 18-hole match play. There is a lot more that can go on in 18 holes, but I am sort of one for one as a pro for that regard in match play so I would certainly like to keep that streak alive but obviously there are a fair few good players here this week.
Q. Your group includes Will Zalatoris, Harris English and Andrew Putnam. What are your thoughts on that as a challenge?
A. Really good players. I haven’t played with Will before but I have played with Andrew and Harris. Regardless of what group you are in it is going to be tough. To have to top a group is hard and I am looking forward to the challenge.
Adrian Meronk
Last year, the Polish star became the first player from his country to win a DP World Tour event thanks to his breakthrough triumph at the Horizon Irish Open. That was one of eight top tens in total across the 2022 season that saw him finish eighth on the Rankings. The Polish star has made a fantastic start to the 2023 DP World Tour campaign, winning his second Tour title at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open in December. He then holed the winning putt for Continental Europe at the inaugural Hero Cup, taking that momentum into top-ten finishes at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Ras Al Khaimah Championship. The 29-year-old has since taken advantage of his increased opportunities across the Atlantic, finishing in a tie for 14th at The Honda Classic last month.
Q. How are you feeling coming into the week?
A. I am very excited – great to be here. I always used to watch this tournament, so it is great to be a part of this special tournament. I can’t wait to start on Wednesday.
Q. How does the mindset change from stroke play to match play?
A. I am probably just going to be more aggressive from the start. I have had some match play experience already this year playing in the Hero Cup. I like this format; it is very entertaining. Austin Country Club is made for match play, there are so many good holes that reward good shots, so it is going to be fun.
Q. You are in a group with Tony Finau, Kurt Kitayama and Christiaan Bezuidenhout. What are your thoughts on that draw?
A. You just have to be ready to play anybody. If you play well, it should be enough. I don’t really care who is in the group. The strategy will not change, I will just try to focus on playing the course and not the guy I am playing against. That is the mindset.
Q. With this being a match play event in a Ryder Cup year, how much fun is that for you to put yourself in the shop window?
A. It is a great opportunity for me, a great test. I just want to focus on my game, take this opportunity and show Luke [Donald] that I am available and hopefully my game will back it up.
