Steve Palmer's Italian Open first-round preview, best bets, free golf tips

Golf tips, best first-round bets and player analysis for the Italian Open at Marco Simone Golf Club on the DP World Tour.

When to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 12.30pm Thursday

Best bets

Andy Sullivan to win 11.10am threeball
1pt 7-4 BoyleSports

Preview

Rory McIlroy is an early starter in round one of the Italian Open - and the Northern Irishman will be pleased with the chance to make morning headway at Marco Simone Golf Club.

With the breeze set to increase as the day wears on - and a thunderstorm threat for Rome in the afternoon - getting to the clubhouse by lunchtime will appeal to McIlroy. The tournament favourite is scheduled to tee off at 7.30am UK and Ireland time, with local hero Francesco Molinari and defending champion Nicolai Hojgaard for company.

The marquee group of the afternoon comprises US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland and Edoardo Molinari (12.30pm). This trio will be the focus of the Sky Sports cameras, as long lightning does not interfere.

Fitzpatrick would be the selection for punters wishing to get involved in that threeball, but better value at a bigger price comes in the 11.10am contest. Andy Sullivan can outscore Jorge Campillo and Scott Jamieson.

Sullivan's swing has found a groove in recent weeks, with eighth place in the Cazoo Classic followed by third in the Cazoo Open, 22nd in Made In HimmerLand and a first-round 64 in the BMW PGA last week.

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