Steve Palmer's European Masters second-round preview, best bets, free golf tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the European Masters first-round at Crans-sur-Sierre on the DP World Tour.

When to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 12.30pm Friday

Best bets

Sean Crocker to win 12.10pm threeball
2pts 21-10 bet365

Julien Brun to win 1.20pm threeball
2pts 13-10 bet365

Aaron Cockerill to win 12.50pm threeball
1pt 5-2 bet365

Preview

Thriston Lawrence and Alejandro Canizares set the pace on day one of the European Masters from Crans-sur-Sierre - the South African and the Spaniard both carding a round of eight-under-par 62.

Lawrence, who won the Joburg Open at the end of last year and has become a DP World Tour leaderboard regular since, enjoyed an eagle and six birdies. The pre-tournament 33-1 chance has become 9-2 favourite.

Canizares, a 300-1 rag at the outset, has shortened to a general 25-1 after he fired nine birdies. Ryan Fox, pre-tournament 18-1 market leader, has some catching up to do after an opening 71.

Second-round threeball punters are pointed towards three options on the afternoon card - Sean Crocker (12.10pm UK and Ireland time), Julien Brun (1.20pm) and Aaron Cockerill (12.50pm).

Crocker is full of beans after making his DP World Tour breakthrough in the Hero Open a month ago. And over the Friday and Saturday rounds of last year's European Masters, the American was a total of 11 under par, eventually finishing fourth on the Sunday.

Crocker has made a quiet start this week, but can be fancied to step up a gear and turn the tables on Lawrence and Adrian Meronk in round two.

Julien Brun is more than 200 places superior to playing partners Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez and Daan Huizing and anything odds-against about the Frenchman seems fair, while punters seeking bigger odds should make a beeline for Cockerill.

The Canadian plodder is equipped to handle Crans and often carries a hot putter. He missed the cut on his Crans debut last year and opened with a 70 this week, but his fourth round at the track should be more positive. Cockerill is well capable of outscoring Hennie du Plessis and Louis de Jager.

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