Steve Palmer's LIV Golf Boston predictions & free golf betting tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the LIV Golf Boston at The International.

Where to watch

Live on YouTube or LIVGolf.com from 7pm on Friday

Best bets

Dustin Johnson
4pts each-way 13-2 Betfair, Power
Matthew Wolff
1.5pts each-way 28-1 bet365

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The LIV Golf Boston field was finally announced on Tuesday afternoon, doubtless after much behind-the-scenes negotiation with the latest signings, and the worst-kept secret in golf was confirmed. The Open champion has become a LIV golfer.

Cameron Smith is the headline name from the list of fresh LIV recruits. Australian legend Greg Norman has managed to convince his compatriot that LIV Golf is the place to be. The world number two takes over from Dustin Johnson as the highest-ranked player on the circuit.

Smith will be joined by his good friend Marc Leishman, while world number 19 Joaquin Niemann has also jumped ship to the Saudi-backed events. Niemann, a close pal of LIV stalwart Sergio Garcia, was one of 23 elite players who were in a meeting at the BMW Championship to discuss the future of the PGA Tour. The Chilean is the only one of the 23 who could not be assured by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy that staying put on the PGA Tour was the best course of action.

Anirban Lahiri, Harold Varner and Cameron Tringale are the other new recruits, meaning six lesser lights have had to drop out.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Dustin Johnson 13-2

There are some new kids on the block to take much of the spotlight and flak away from Dustin Johnson this week - and there seems little doubt that the American media will be looking for answers from Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann.

Smith is the first reigning Major champion to make the switch, while Niemann is the youngest PGA Tour winner to cross this great golfing divide, so both men have plenty of questions to answer. All this will come as a blessed relief to Johnson, who can claim the first victory of his LIV career on Sunday.

Johnson was by far the biggest name to make the leap for the first LIV event, enduring uncomfortable moments in the media tent. He has played some decent golf in the first three tournaments, finishing eighth in London, fourth in Portland and third in Bedminster. He has looked more relaxed, and been performing better, in each LIV appearance, settling into the feel, format and atmosphere of this new circuit.

Amid starting this fresh chapter of his career, Johnson has played well in two Majors - 24th in the US Open and sixth in the Open - and he seems ready to enjoy his first $4million LIV cheque. This week's venue looks welcoming for DJ, with generous fairways encouraging attacking golf, and his record on bentgrass greens is excellent.

Only one player has made more birdies in LIV Golf than Johnson (Branden Grace) and the giant Carolinian should be the man to beat this week. The arrival of Smith means a healthy boost to Johnson's price - and punters are advised to take advantage. Smith was 23rd of 29 for 72-hole scoring in the Tour Championship at East Lake last week.

Next best bet

Matthew Wolff 28-1

Patrick Reed is loving LIV life and is a tempting option this week, but it must be noted that this ever controversial character is involved in some mega-bucks legal proceedings at the moment, so may be getting distracted by imminent court action.

Preference at a bigger price is for Matthew Wolff, who has made a positive start to his LIV career and remains a player bursting with potential. Wolff was eighth on his LIV debut in Portland and closed with a 64 for runner-up honours in Bedminster.

The former US Open runner-up was all smiles on the stage after LIV Bedminster, seemingly thrilled to have given fresh impetus to a career that was slightly faltering, and the youngster could develop into a regular LIV champion.

The Oaks course guide

Course Oaks Course, The International, Bolton, Massachusetts
Prize money $20m ($4m to the winner)
Length 7,112 yards
Par 72 - five par-fives, eight par-fours, five par-threes
Field 48 (no cut)
Format 54 holes of strokeplay
Highest-ranked players in field (world rankings in brackets) Cameron Smith (2), Joaquin Niemann (19), Dustin Johnson (22), Abraham Ancer (24), Brooks Koepka (26)

When to bet By 7pm on Friday (shotgun start)

Where to watch Live on YouTube or LIVGolf.com from 7pm on Friday

Time difference Massachusetts is five hours behind the UK and Ireland

Last time - LIV Golf Bedminster 1 H Stenson (80-1), T2 M Wolff (30-1), D Johnson (11-2), 4 C Ortiz (28-1), 5 P Reed (16-1)

Course type Parkland

Course overview The Oaks Course at The International, near Boston, was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 2001. Tripp Davis completed a renovation last year. Dense sets of tall trees are the main defence of the track, along with heavy bunkering and waste areas. Bentgrass greens.

Weather forecast Sunny and warm, with temperatures peaking at 31C, and light breezes

Type of player suited to the challenge Five par-fives and generous fairways lends itself to attacking golf

Key attribute Power

Spotlight insight Two of the three LIV Golf events have been won by a South African

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