Steve Palmer's free predictions and golf betting tips for the Truist Championship

When to bet on the Truist Championship

By 4pm on Thursday

Where can I watch the Truist Championship

Live on Sky Sports Golf from 4pm on Thursday

Steve Palmer's Truist Championship predictions

Daniel Berger
3pts each-way 28-1 bet365

Shane Lowry
2.5pts each-way 35-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Sepp Straka
2pts each-way 40-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Recommended

4/5

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Steve Palmer's Truist Championship preview

Scottie Scheffler laid down a marker for next week's US PGA by winning the CJ Cup Byron Nelson by eight shots on Sunday and the world number one is skipping this week's Truist Championship. Scheffler is the only member of the elite who has opted out of the PGA Tour Signature Event in Pennsylvania.

Rory McIlroy looks a short price on a course with only two par-fives – his driving excellence is not much of an asset this week – while Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas have caddie issues. Morikawa is making his first start with Joe Greiner on his bag, having sacked long-time looper JJ Jakovac. Thomas had Greiner as caddie at the Heritage, but needs another replacement if Matt Minister remains out injured.

Xander Schauffele, who has greatly impressed with his approach-play in recent weeks, could be the best value of the Truist Championship market leaders, but preference is for going deeper in the betting for bigger prices.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Daniel Berger 28-1

Third place in the Heritage last time out continued a consistent spell of form for Daniel Berger, who is playing better than ever at the age of 32. The fully-fit Floridian is making up for time lost to injury and a fifth PGA Tour title seems on the horizon.

Philadelphia Cricket Club seems an ideal venue for Berger to thrive. Lack of driving distance is his only weakness, but it is not a serious handicap this week. Berger's tee to green accuracy and his effectiveness close to the hole can prove decisive.

Berger's first three PGA Tour titles came on par-70 courses. He has never been one for overwhelming par-fives – finding fairways and greens has been the key to his success – and his wedge-play lately has been razor-sharp. The wedges seem the most important clubs in the bag this week.

Berger finished second in the RSM Classic at the end of last year, then second again in the Phoenix Open in February. He can go one better in Pennsylvania and put his name in the hat for a Ryder Cup return.

Next best bet

Shane Lowry 35-1

Approach-play, particularly with wedges, seems critical at the Wissahickon Course – and Shane Lowry will be licking his lips at the assignment. His iron-play has been sensational this season and wedges have always been like magic wands in his hands.

Lowry, who has won a Major and a WGC, is not frightened by elite gatherings like this one and may be about to turn consistency into silverware. From last year's US PGA onwards, the Irishman has posted 19 top-20s, including 12th spot alongside McIlroy in the Zurich Classic pairs event last time out.

Lowry finished runner-up in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February – a Signature Event on a short course – and he could be about to fall in love with Philadelphia Cricket Club.

Other selection

Sepp Straka 40-1

Another player well suited to this week's mission is Sepp Straka, who has been peppering pins with his approaches all season, winning a third PGA Tour title in the AmEx in January. He was seventh at Pebble Beach despite being ill over the weekend, fifth at Bay Hill in March, then 14th at Sawgrass, relentlessly appearing on leaderboards.

A pair of weekend 67s meant 13th place in the Heritage last month, then he paired with a weak partner (Brice Garnett) to finish 12th in the Zurich Classic. Straka lies fourth in the FedEx Cup standings and can bank another healthy cheque on Sunday.

Recommended

4/5

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18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 5x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. 

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Course guide for the Truist Championship

• Course Wissahickon Course, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Flourtown, Pennsylvania
• Prize money $20m ($3.6m to the winner)
• Length 7,119 yards
• Par 70 – two par-fives; 12 par-fours; four par-threes
• Field 72 (no cut)
• Highest-ranked players in field (world ranking in brackets) Rory McIlroy (2), Xander Schauffele (3), Collin Morikawa (4), Justin Thomas (5), Ludvig Aberg (6)
• When to bet By 4pm on Thursday
• When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf from 4pm on Thursday
• Time difference Pennsylvania is five hours behind the UK and Ireland
• Last week – CJ Cup Byron Nelson 1 S Scheffler (11-4), 2 E Van Rooyen (225-1), 3 S Stevens (80-1), 4 J Spieth (18-1), T5 S Burns (28-1), M Hubbard (175-1), T Kanaya (175-1), W Gordon (500-1), E Cole (70-1), K Kitayama (90-1), A Schenk (250-1), R Castillo (150-1)
• Course type Parkland
• Course overview This tournament has new sponsors, having previously been the Wells Fargo Championship. Quail Hollow is the traditional venue for the event, but it is staging the US PGA this year. The Wissahickon Course at Philadelphia Cricket Club, designed by A.W Tillinghast, has stepped in as a replacement. Keith Foster led a renovation which was completed in 2014. The course hosted the Senior Players Championship in 2016 and Bernhard Langer won a windy event with a one over par total. A creek runs through the course. Well-guarded bentgrass greens are difficult to find. Fast, undulating dancefloors
• Story of last year Rory McIlroy cruised to a five-shot victory at his beloved Quail Hollow for a fourth Wells Fargo success
• Weather forecast Cloudy over the first two days, with potential for showers on a breezy Friday, but sunny and calm at the weekend
• Type of player suited to the challenge The fairways are fairly generous, but the approach shots are extremely difficult, so precise irons are the key to success. The best wedge player may win
• Key attribute Accuracy

Read more ...

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