PGA picks: Match Play brings out the best at home for Spieth

For the second time in a month, a World Golf Championship event will dominate the schedule, but this time it's one that's much different than the usual tournament.

The Austin Golf and Country Club hosts the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play - an event that offers a unique format change to the usual stroke-play event.

In its own version of March Madness, players are seeded and broken down into groups of four. They will play a round-robin 18-hole match against each of the other players in their group, with the top record moving on to the field of 16 on the weekend.

Here's the best bets to contend at this action-packed event.

Favorite to watch (odds less than 25/1)

Jordan Spieth

It's virtually a home game this week for Jordan Spieth, who hails from the Austin area and is very familiar with the host course. The Texas native hasn't played an event since the WGC-Mexico but is in his usual top form coming into the week. Spieth has yet to finish outside the top 25 in an event this season, posting five top 10s and a win in that span. Spieth finished ninth in this event last week, and should be expected to put up a strong showing again.

Odds to win: 9/1

2nd tier (odds greater than 25/1)

Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm enters the WGC-Dell Match Play as the seventh-seed and will be in a group with fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Kevin Chappell, and Shane Lowry. The long-hitting rookie should have no problem advancing out of that foursome and with his electric game, don't be shocked if he's making a run at the title on the weekend.

Odds to win: 25/1

Long shot (odds greater than 40/1)

Thomas Pieters

Speaking of youngsters with electric game, Belgium's Thomas Pieters has as much potential as any player in the field. Pieters got a favorable draw with the struggling Bubba Watson as the top player in his group, and should advance, no problem. Many people have been touting Pieters as a future Ryder Cup star, and this week is a chance for him to show his match play chops.

Odds to win: 40/1

Super long shot (odds greater than 70/1)

Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka's game has been a mess all year, with four missed cuts in his last six events. While there's a few signs in recent memory that would make him a strong pick this week, a change from stroke-play to match-play could be just what the 26-year-old needs. Koepka showed well for the United States in the Ryder Cup, and this could be just what he needs to get his game back on track. At 90/1 he's certainly worth a small wager as a long shot.

Odds to win: 90/1

Hit this bet, buy a car (odds greater than 100/1)

Kevin Na

Kevin Na went 2-0-1 in group play at the Austin layout last season, but failed to qualify for the next round after losing in a sudden-death playoff to Rory McIlroy. The precision required on the tight course certainly fits Na's game, and his tendency to play quite slow can throw his opponent's mental game into disarray. He also received a fairly favorable draw as Justin Thomas lost all three matches last year and Chris Wood is 0-5 in the event. At 100/1 he's worth a few bucks as a super long shot.

Odds to win: 100/1

Last week's picks

Rory McIlroy: T-4
Charl Schwartzel: T-45
Francesco Molinari: T-7
Kevin Chappell: T-49
Jamie Lovemark: T-23

Season record (through 11 events)

Wins: 3
Top 5: 10

(Odds courtesy: Paddy Power)
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)