Steve Palmer's LIV Golf Boston second-round preview, best bets, free golf tips

Where to watch

YouTube or livgolf.com, 6.15pm Saturday

Best bets

Joaquin Niemann to win threeball
2pts 21-20 bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes

Charl Schwartzel to win threeball
1pt 8-5 bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes

Story so far

Cameron Smith was the centre of attention on day one of the LIV Golf Boston and the circuit's new big-money signing thrived in the spotlight, closing with an eagle for a six-under-par opening round.
Smith, playing alongside Dustin Johnson, started the event as 11-2 favourite and shortened to 7-2 after the first 18 holes.

Smith carded two eagles in his round, but the Australian newcomer was upstaged by Matthew Wolff, who delivered the first hole-in-one of LIV Golf on his way to a seven-under-par 63. Wolff, recommended by Racing Post Sport in the first-round-leader market at 33-1, aced the second hole and ended round one tied for the lead with Talor Gooch.

Wolff is 13-2 for victory. Johnson suffered some serious tree trouble at the 14th hole, resulting in a double-bogey, but he closed with three birdies in his final four holes to sign for a 67 which keeps the former world number one well in the hunt.

Leaderboard
-7 Matthew Wolff, Talor Gooch
-6 Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann
-4 Kevin Na, Bernd Wiesberger, Paul Casey, Anirban Lahiri
-3 Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Branden Grace, Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner, Pat Perez, Charles Howell, Sadom Kaewkanjana

Best prices
7-2 C Smith, 6 T Gooch, J Niemann, 13-2 M Wolff, 14 D Johnson, 18 bar

Second-round preview

Cameron Smith handled himself well in his first taste of LIV Golf, seemingly able to concentrate fully on the job in hand. Since the world number two stepped on the property at the Oaks Course, he has had cameras in his face, but the Aussie has taken it all in his stride so far.

Henrik Stenson managed to win LIV Golf Bedminster on his LIV debut - and Smith is seeking to follow that example - but 7-2 seems no bargain with 36 holes to play.

Joaquin Niemann settled equally well on his debut, while Dustin Johnson recovered well from a poor course-management decision at the 14th. A finishing flourish kept Johnson in touch and Racing Post Sport's two pre-tournament recommendations - Johnson and Matthew Wolff - should both have a title chance on Sunday. The event could easily become a shootout between Smith, Niemann, Wolff, Johnson and Talor Gooch.

Second-round threeballs punters are pointed towards Niemann, who seems delighted to be among close pals on the LIV circuit. Odds-against quotes about the Chilean defeating Kevin Na and Bernd Wiesberger in round two seem fair.

Punters seeking a double should consider LIV London champion Charl Schwartzel, who can outgun Richard Bland and Martin Kaymer. All matches tee off at 6.15pm in a shotgun start.

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