Presidents Cup: Steve Palmer's day-one preview, best bets, free golf tips

When to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 10.30pm Wednesday

Best bets

Justin Thomas top combined points scorer
2pts 15-2 Betfred, Sky Bet

USA to win day one 3-2
2pts 4-1 bet365

Day-one preview

The team captains threw in some surprise pairings for day one of the Presidents Cup and the Americans are favourites for all five of the opening fourballs.

Internationals skipper Ernie Els was expected to pair Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith in a strong all-Australian alliance, but the South African has opted to split the locals. Leishman partners Joaquin Niemann in the first match, teeing off at 10.32pm UK and Ireland time, while Smith sits out the entire session.

Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas face Leishman and Niemann. The biggest shock from USA captain Woods was that opted against a Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay combination. The Zurich Classic partners and good friends were long touted as a duo, but Reed is with Webb Simpson and Cantlay joins Xander Schauffele.

Punters looking to get involved in the opening matches should consider backing the USA to win the session 3-2. The Internationals have good chances of success in matches three and five – Adam Scott and Byeong Hun An could topple Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau, while Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland may be vulnerable against Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen.

Expect USA success, though, in matches one, two and four – Woods and Thomas can see off Leishman and Niemann, Schauffele and Cantlay can do likewise against Sungjae Im and Adam Hadwin, then Reed and Simpson can silence the home crowd against Hideki Matsuyama and C.T. Pan.

Thomas, with Woods confirmed alongside and nervous Niemann as an opponent, has become an even better option in the top scorer markets. The 15-2 available with Betfred about Thomas finishing the week as top combined scorer – also being 'price-boosted' to 15-2 by Sky Bet – seems a superb value wager. Thomas looks set to partner Woods or Rickie Fowler throughout the competition.

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