Ernie Els managed to dig in deep at last week’s Matchplay competition, clocking up his best performance since he lost in the semis eight years ago. With his new-found form and commitment to the US PGA Tour, the popular South African will start at the Palm Beach Gardens as one of the favourites to retain the title.

Els has had a long-standing drought on both the European and US PGA Tours with his 2008 Honda Classic title his only win of the season, but with swing coach, Butch Harmon, by his side and his confidence growing after his performance in Arizona, the ‘Big Easy’ may well be able to snaffle up his maiden title of the 2009 season and the lion’s share of a $5.6 million purse!

Online bookmaker, Ladbrokes, is of the opinion that Sergio Garcia, who has recently been eclipsed by Matchplay winner, Geoff Ogilvie, England’s Paul Casey and teenage sensation, Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai, will claim gold in Florida this week.

Current match betting odds are Sergio Garcia 10/1, Ernie Els 12/1, Camilo Villegas 12/1 and Rory McIlroy 16/1.

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