Branden Grace can build on encouraging opening round at Renaissance Club

Sky Sports Golf, 10.30am Friday

A group of four players, headlined by Andy Sullivan, made the early running in the Scottish Open, all opening with morning rounds of seven-under-par 64 at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick.

Sullivan, a well-fancied 45-1 chance who finished tied for second in the Irish Open last week, reached eight under before dropping his only shot of the day at his penultimate hole. He credits a ball switch and a return to his stock-shot fade as the reasons for his upturn in form.

Tournament favourite Rory McIlroy was among the afternoon starters, and the Northern Irishman made a solid start, reaching the turn in three under par. Rickie Fowler, playing alongside McIlroy, was five shots worse off after nine holes.

Second-round threeball punters should consider Branden Grace, a superb links exponent who ended a poor run of form with a day-one 68. The South African, a two-time European Tour champion on links terrain, can outscore Scott Hend and Mikko Korhonen in round two at 1.10pm.

Recommendation
B Grace to win threeball
1pt 5-4 bet365

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport