A solid week last week with two each way winners! I hope everyone was on both Marcel Siem tipped at 33/1 and Jimmy Walker at 100/1. They both brought home nice little profits which is nothing to turn your nose up at.

This week is one of my favourite events of the whole golfing calendar, when the world’s top 64 players descend upon the Arizona Desert to play the WGC Accenture Matchplay Championship. Matchplay is a different kettle of fish and with Dove Mountain measuring a testing 7,791 yards, length is of a premium. As well as driving distance, birdie makers should stack up on your shortlist. Card wreckers are not the end of the world in this week’s format, so the players who enjoy the element of risk in being rewarded usually pose the biggest threat.

Webb Simpson will be a debutant this week, but this certainly shouldn’t put you off. The American seems to be on a mission to strip Luke Donald of his ‘Mr. Consistent’ title, as he boasts a top 20 finish in every event since January 2011, bar 7. To top this off, he has two Top 8 finishes so far this year in three events. He also competed in the Presidents Cup at the end of last year and completed three victories. A great iron player, Webb has the leading GIR stat this year, and features in the Top 10 for birdie and scoring average.

Webb Simpson partnered the big hitting Bubba Watson throughout the Presidents Cup, and together they were triumphant in three out of four matches. The long hitting American finished 4^th at this event last year and is having a blistering start to the season with four Top 18 finishes in four starts, including a 5^th place at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Bubba is statistically the longest driver on tour, which in matchplay gives you that key advantage, as you always get to see your opponent play their second shot first, inevitably dictating the level of aggression needed for your own second.

Bo Van Pelt is finally beginning to re-ignite the form he exhibited at the end of the 2011 season. The American won the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic and in the final four events of the season, he never finished outside the Top 11. His last two outings have seen back-to-back 8^th place finishes and with his birdie stats inside the Top 5 on the PGA Tour, accompanied by his length off the tee, the big man poses a massive threat this week.

Last but certainly not least are the two young guns of Kyle Stanley and Nicholas Colsaerts. Kyle doesn’t need too much of an introduction. He tops the money list, having already bagged a win and a runner-up spot. He is one of the longest off the tee on the PGA Tour and heads up the scoring average statistic. He’s made a shed load of birdies already this season and has a very good college matchplay record.  Nicholas has one of the most consistent records on the European Tour this season with three Top 10’s in four starts. He hits it a country mile and on his day has no problem mounting up the birdies. He made it to the Semi-Finals of the World Matchplay at Finca Cortesin, losing to the eventual winner in extra holes. He comfortably beat Rory McIlroy in the group stages of that event highlighting his lack of fear for the big stage. He does have a tough opening match against Lee Westwood, but if he can overcome the Englishman, who hasn’t performed too well here over the years, his confidence will be sky high and the Belgian may cause upset after upset.

I recognise that I have picked some players in the same bracket. This should not alarm you as it merely heightens your chances of reaching the semi-finals. Players would not play each other until the quarter finals if they did indeed end up against one another. Please note that this week I will be using a 12 Point system, not the 10 point system that is typically used.

Good Luck,

Banksy

WGC Accenture Matchplay Selections

$$$ Webb Simpson Each Way 30/1 (General)

$$$ Bubba Watson Each Way 35/1 (General)

$$ Bo Van Pelt Each Way 80/1 (Stan James)

$$ Kyle Stanley Each Way 50/1 (General)

$$ Nicholas Colsaerts Each Way 80/1 (General)

Don't forget to check out my selections next week and other betting tips on Twitter @OllieWBanks

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