Safeway Open: Steve Palmer's halfway analysis, best bets, third-round tips

When to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 11pm Saturday

Best bets

Harris English to win twoball
1pt 11-10 Betfred

Dylan Frittelli to win twoball
1pt 4-5 Betfred

Third-round preview

Bryson DeChambeau has gone two shots clear in the Safeway Open, the five-time PGA Tour champion enjoying himself in his home state of California, shortening from 25-1 to 9-4 after 36 holes of action at the Silverado Resort.

DeChambeau, who missed the cut by two shots in The Greenbrier in his only previous start this season, won four PGA Tour events in 2018. This year, though, his only success has come on the European Tour – the Dubai Desert Classic in January – and he has gone eight months without lifting a trophy.

DeChambeau was coming under fire at the end of last season for his slow play, reacting with indignation and aggression when questioned, so it will be interesting to see the speed at which he performs at Silverado with the spotlight on him over the weekend. The leader is 12 under par.

Justin Thomas made an understandably slow start to the tournament in the wake of a recent calf operation, slipping three over par through five holes, but the best player in the field has fought back superbly, moving to nine under and a share of third place.

Nick Watney, winless for more than seven years, is sandwiched in between DeChambeau and Thomas, while Collin Morikawa is a shot behind Thomas in a tie for eighth place.

DeChambeau was a prolific winner of prestigious events last year and obviously deserves favouritism from this position, but the pace of play issue has the potential to prove an unsettling factor over the closing 36 holes if his critics round on him again. Outright punters should arguably be concentrating on the leader, along with Thomas and Morikawa, who are both close enough and good enough to overtake the early pacesetter and claim the silverware.

Third-round twoball punters are pointed towards Harris English, who is swinging well again after a few lean years and can account for Jim Furyk in their 8.40pm meeting.

And Dylan Frittelli, who is starting to thrive on the PGA Tour in the wake of his John Deere Classic breakthrough victory, can outscore Nick Taylor in the penultimate match (9.50pm).

A late night is in store for the UK and Ireland betting community, with the final twoball of DeChambeau and Watney not teeing off until 10pm, and live coverage not starting on Sky Sports until 11pm.

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