Sentry Tournament of Champions: Steve Palmer's halfway analysis, best bets

When to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 9pm Saturday

Best bet

Rickie Fowler to win the Sentry Tournament of Champions
1pt each-way 8-1 Sky Bet

Day-three preview

Defending champion Xander Schauffele has assumed the halfway lead in the Sentry Tournament of Champions, the Californian moving one shot clear through 36 holes at the Plantation Course, Hawaii.

Schauffele, who closed with a spectacular final-round 62 to win last year's edition, started this week at 8-1, with only Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas ahead of him in the betting. Schauffele has justified his short price, though, with rounds of 69 and 68 on the toughened-up Kapalua layout.

As well as a more challenging set-up, the competitors had to face difficult Friday weather conditions, with wind and rain adding to the test. A breezy weekend is set to further limit scoring.

Schauffele is 11-4 favourite heading into round three, with Patrick Reed, one shot behind in a tie for second, available at 5-1. First-round pacesetter Joaquin Niemann is alongside Reed and a 9-1 chance to triumph on his Kapalua debut.

In-running outright punters looking to get involved at this stage must show the favourite great respect. Trying to find negatives for Schauffele ante-post was extremely difficult. He added a puppy to his household over Christmas, but has still managed to ping the lids in Hawaii again.

It was only the short pre-tournament price which meant Schauffele missed the staking plan – bookmakers were taking no chances after his Sunday heroics of 12 months ago – but 11-4 is more than fair with two rounds to go. With a weekend grind expected at a windswept track, the tee-to-green solidity of Schauffele means a successful title defence is entirely feasible.

Given the forecast, anyone within striking distance of the lead can force their way into the thick of things with a tidy scorecard, and punters can probably go down to Dustin Johnson – sharing 15th place and six shots off the pace – for potential champions.

Expect Johnson and Collin Morikawa to move closer to the lead, but the main threats to Schauffele are probably Rickie Fowler and Patrick Cantlay. Fowler, in particular, is worth considering at 8-1 for anyone yet to get involved. He has been swinging superbly, pounding greens, and suffering an uncharacteristically poor week with the putter.

From just two shots behind, Fowler, who typically performs with credit in a wind, is well in contention, ready to take advantage of any slips from Schauffele. Sky Bet are offering attractive each-way terms of a fifth the odds, the first four places, as well as top-price 8-1 Fowler.

The action resumes at 6pm UK and Ireland time, with the final twoball of Schauffele and Reed due off at 8.40pm.

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