I have a buddy who runs a major championships pool. Four times a year we pick ten guys (only three of the big four allowed) and try to get seven to the weekend. My chum aligns everyone in teams of three, and pays out team and individual each day. For an extra in, you play the season-long overall championship. I’ve cleaned up and I’ve been cleaned out over the course of the past four seasons. From what they tell me, since the entire pot gets paid back, it’s perfectly legal (anyone care to comment?)

The reason I bring this up is, I stumbled onto a pool for the WGC-Accenture Match Play. I ripped through my picks in about five minutes, and am sitting back to see how I fare. I know that I lost picks on Adam Scott, Paul Goydos, Darren Clarke, Angel Cabrera, and Lee Westwood by one hole; had they come in, I’d be in first (and not t36) currently. Tomorrow is another day, and if my longshots come in, watch out!

Just like NCAA pools, that’s the beauty of the thing…the longshots. Finding a way to pick people that you know are unpopular with the others, but have a shot at a top-ten finish. The Masters is the easiest to pick (and the most difficult to differentiate…playoffs are common place.) The British Open is the most difficult to select, as form, national pride, and course conditions challenge even our own punter. The PGA is tough, as you never know who is spent by August, and not on form. Finally, the US Open requires the greatest amount of research…it’s easier to pick than the British, but you need to do your homework.

So if you’re bored this week, don’t blame me. Get in a pool next year, and you’ll never yawn again during the Match Play.