Spanish Open: Steve Palmer's first-round preview & threeballs free tip

Where to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 11am Thursday

Best bet

Haotong Li to win threeball
1pt 15-8 general

First-round preview

Spanish Open favourite Jon Rahm starts his title defence at 8.30am UK and Ireland time in round one at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, with compatriots Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Adri Arnaus for company.

Rahm, a general 3-1 chance for back-to-back triumphs in this tournament, will be looking to steal an early march before his main market rival, Sergio Garcia, appears later in the day. Garcia is scheduled to start his quest for a first Spanish Open victory since 2002 at 1pm, alongside Haotong Li and Jorge Campillo.

Li is the value option for the marquee afternoon match. Campillo has missed four of his last five cuts, so the threeball seems likely to become a Li versus Garcia affair, and the Chinese player has been priced more attractively.

Li was a fast finisher in the Dunhill Links Championship last week and should carry that form to Spain, while Garcia could be slower out the blocks after a fortnight off.

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