Portuguese pair have loved GolfSixes format

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The inaugural Golf Sixes was hailed as a success on Saturday and pre-tournament favourites England remain at the top of the six-hole knockout challenge market.

Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood qualified from Saturday's league stage by winning Group A and they will be confident that vocal home support will help them to overcome Italy in the quarter-finals.

The other teams who made it through the groups were France, Thailand, Denmark, Portugal, Australia and Scotland, and the knockout stage will start on Sunday.

Quarter-final draw

England v Italy
Denmark v France
Thailand v Australia
Scotland v Portugal

England's performance was helped by some good fortune in their opening game against India when their opponents three-putted the final hole and had to settle for a draw.

The hosts were dominant in seeing off Holland in their final game but anyone who took the 11-2 at the beginning of the tournament is advised not to get involved again at 4-1.

Italy, advised at the start of the showpiece as a 16-1 each-way selection, which would claim a place if Matteo Manassero and Renato Paratore see off England to reach the semi-finals, should provide the home pair with plenty of food for thought.

There have been no great shocks with six of the top eight in the pre-tournament betting reaching the quarter-finals, but it could be worth taking a punt on a team who were 28-1 at the outset and still offer some value at 11-1.

The Portuguese pair of Ricardo Gouveia and Jose-Felipe Lima thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Hertfordshire on Saturday and became perfectly comfortable with the many noisy and unusual distractions of the novelty tournament.

They cruised past Wales and Australia in their opening two matches, meaning that a 1-0 defeat to the USA in their closing encounter was immaterial as they topped Group C.

That was the only hole in their 18 that they lost and they should feel confident against Scotland, even though Marc Warren and Richie Ramsay played well to see off Belgium and Spain.

At the prices, it is still worth backing Portugal each-way, with one-third of the odds offered if they can reach the final.

Gouveia and Lima are clearly assured in facing this new challenge and they can build on that confident start.

Best prices: 4 England, 9-2 France, 5 Thailand, 13-2 Scotland, 7 Denmark, 11 Italy, Portugal, 12 Australia

Recommendation
Portugal
1pt each-way 11-1 general