Northern Trust: PGA Tour round two threeballs betting tips for Liberty National

TV: live on Sky Sports Golf from 12.15pm Friday

The Northern Trust is the first FedEx Cup playoff event and, as such, features one of the strongest fields in golf but PGA Tour journeyman Troy Merritt is the man to catch after the first round.

Merritt carded a nine-under par 63 but the big guns are not in close attendance and the Iowa man may struggle to hold his position on Friday at Liberty National.

Dustin Johnson is the closest pursuer. The former world number one, a runner-up at the US PGA Championship at nearby Bethpage Black in May, was electric from tee to green in shooting a Thursday 64 and he has moved from 16-1 to 9-2 to win the tournament.

Jon Rahm, who putted brilliantly in the first round, is two shots back alongside Kevin Kisner while Rory McIlroy, Webb Simpson, Tony Finau and Justin Rose comprise a big-name quartet who are just three shots off the lead.

Tiger Woods, meanwhile, has looked a shadow of the player who thrilled the golfing world four months ago at the Masters and a four-over 76 has ignited rumours about his troubled back.

Round two will be particularly significant in the race for the FedEx Cup, as players who are near the top 70 in the standings attempt to make next week's BMW Championship.

Woods, who is 28th in the standings, will have no issues making the BMW but a missed cut will be a serious blow in his bid to appear at the season-ending Tour Championship.

With Tiger's troubles in mind, it's surprising to see Sky Bet making Wyndham Championship winner JT Poston the outsider in their 5.33pm threeball alongside Scott Piercy.

Poston has played well all season and a first-round 68 will have him dreaming of making the Tour Championship field. He was much the best in his group yesterday - Piercy shot a level-par 72 - and his sharp approach play should hold the in-form Carolinian in good stead again.

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