Steve Palmer's Hero World Challenge first-round preview, best bets, free tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for first round of the Hero World Challenge at The Albany on the PGA Tour.

When to watch

Sky Sports Main Event and Golf, 6.30pm Thursday

Best bets

Collin Morikawa to beat Cameron Young
3pts 10-11 bet365

Sam Burns 4.22pm twoball (8-11), Tommy Fleetwood 4.33pm twoball (23-20), Tony Finau 4.55pm twoball (4-5), Justin Thomas 5.06pm twoball (8-13)
1pt Yankee Coral, Ladbrokes

Tony Finau-Viktor Hovland dual forecast
1pt 80-1 bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes

Preview

Collin Morikawa got married at the weekend, so has probably had to put practice on the backburner for a fortnight or so, but he got to know the Albany layout well last year and should be able to hit his stride at some stage this week.

Morikawa had the Hero World Challenge title at his mercy 12 months ago, leading by five shots on the Sunday and looking set to become world number one, but his game fell apart. It was still an excellent course debut and the two-time Major champion looks a decent price at 10-11 to defeat Cameron Young in a 72-hole match.

Young has rocketed up the world rankings this year but he started 2022 outside the top 130, only recently joining the fringes of the elite. This is his World Challenge debut and an autumn form dip does nothing to suggest he will be a title contender.

The 20 competitors go out in twoballs and four of the ten Thursday matches appeal for a first-round Yankee. Kevin Kisner, a short-hitter who has gone right off the boil, should be outgunned by Sam Burns in the 4.22pm match to get the bet rolling.

Matt Fitzpatrick wilted badly in the final round of the DP World Tour Championship last time out, while Tommy Fleetwood has been finishing the year in fine style. Fleetwood was third in his only previous Albany start and looks a value outsider against his compatriot.

Tony Finau is bursting with form and can account for debutant Max Homa, while Justin Thomas should know too much for another first-timer, Sepp Straka, who was a late replacement for Tiger Woods.

This small field gives dual-forecast punters hope. Finau and defending champion Viktor Hovland are worth backing to fill the first two places on the leaderboard come Sunday night.

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