Steve Palmer's LIV Golf Bedminster first-round predictions & free golf tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the first round at LIV Golf Bedminster at Trump National.

Where to watch

DAZN, 7pm Friday

Best bets

Matthew Wolff first-round leader
1pt each-way 30-1 Coral, Ladbrokes

Sam Horsfield top British
1pt 4-1 bet365

Hideto Tanihara top Japanese
1pt 3-1 bet365

Patrick Reed and Matthew Wolff dual forecast
0.5pt 250-1 bet365

First-round preview

There is no draw bias in LIV Golf events - every group tees off at the same time in a shotgun start - so the first-round leader market lends itself to explosive players capable of low-scoring bursts.

Matthew Wolff often struggles for consistency, but when he is in the groove the Californian youngster is capable of stringing several birdies together. And his power makes him a lively candidate for eagles on the par-fives.

At 30-1, Wolff appeals as the best first-round-leader option. The American has made some fast starts on the PGA Tour this season - carding a 64 in the Shriners Open, a 61 in the Mayakoba and a 65 in the Wells Fargo. He has signed for a round of 62 or better three times on the PGA Tour, having turned pro in June 2019.

Wolff and Patrick Reed are worth a small-stake outright dual-forecast play in the 48-man field, while Sam Horsfield looks the best option for top Brit.

This week's long, open venue lends itself to big-hitters, so Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Richard Bland may struggle. Paul Casey, meanwhile, has only just returned from an injury layoff.

Veteran Hideto Tanihara, a fearless Stateside operator who was fourth in the 2017 WGC-Match Play, appeals for top Japanese.

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