Steve Palmer's Honda Classic first-round preview & golf betting tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the first round of the Honda Classic at PGA National.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 11.45am Thursday

Best bets

Billy Horschel to lead after round one and win
1pt 50-1 BoyleSports

Tommy Fleetwood to win 1.07pm threeball
1pt 23-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

Adam Svensson to win 1.51pm threeball
1pt 20-23 bet365

First-round preview

Joaquin Niemann led the Genesis Invitational field a merry dance last week - leading after round one and going on to win by two shots - and there must be a chance that Billy Horschel can do likewise in the Honda Classic.

While Sungjae Im, Daniel Berger, Louis Oosthuizen, Alexander Noren, Keith Mitchell and Matt Jones are out late in round one, facing what seems likely to be the strongest of the breezes over the first two days, Horschel has a welcoming 7.45am local time Thursday starting berth (12.45am UK and Ireland).

Horschel, relishing combat in his home state this week at a track where he has twice finished in the top eight, led after round one of the Farmers Insurance Open at the end of last month. And only five players outscored him in round one in Phoenix last time out. He can lay the foundation for a potentially glorious week by pinging the lids at PGA National.

Two first-round threeball options appeal in the shape of Tommy Fleetwood (1.07pm) and Adam Svensson (1.51pm).

Fleetwood has become difficult to trust in contention for titles - most recently blowing a golden chance in the Saudi International - but the Southport lad is worthy of support early in the week on a suitable course such as PGA National.

Fleetwood, who finished third in his last Honda start, should prove too steady for Patrick Rodgers and Harry Higgs, while Svensson seems a solid option against Max McGreevy and Alan Morin.

Svensson won the PGA Tour Qualifying School at PGA National in 2015 (two rounds on the Champion Course, two on the neighbouring Fazio Course) and carded a Friday 64 in his only Honda start. The improving Canadian, a three-time Korn Ferry Tour champ, is well suited to this assignment.

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