There was a time early in his career when the prospects of current World No. 5 Matt Wilkinson becoming a perennial World Title threat looked pretty slim. His talent was never in question, but he struggled mightily with tactics and strategy mistakes. But, after teaming up with Ubercoach Glenn Hall a couple years back, the Australian's become a mainstay in the upper tier of the Championship Tour rankings. His victory in Round One, in an all-Aussie affair over Bede Durbidge and Stuart Kennedy, means his 2017 Title hunt is still alive and well.