Confident G-Mac banks on brains beating brawn

Graeme McDowell is hoping that tactics and putting will count for more than length when he faces long-hitting pal Gary Woodland in the first round of the WCG-Accenture Match Play in Tucson today.

The world No 17 finds himself landed in the Group of Death — with players like Zach Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Keegan Bradley.

But he knows his course management and his touch on the greens will be key weapons against a Lake Nona neighbour who can bomb the ball more than 50 yards past him.