Steve Palmer's Mayakoba Classic first-round preview, free golf betting tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the Mayakoba Classic at El Camaleon on the PGA Tour.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 7pm Thursday

Best bets

Corey Conners top Canadian
2pts 21-20 bet365

Abraham Ancer first-round leader
1pt each-way 30-1 Betfred

Marc Leishman to miss the cut
1pt 2-1 bet365

Preview

Justin Thomas returns to action in the Mayakoba Classic this week, having finished fourth in the Masters last time out, cc

Thomas revealed this week that he has intensified his practice sessions with new putting coach, John Graham, in a bid to rid himself of the perceived weakness in his game. The 13-times PGA Tour champion tees off at 12.50pm (UK and Ireland) in the first round of the Mayakoba, with Viktor Hovland and Joaquin Niemann for company.

Thomas is one of the early starters, but may be left behind over the opening 18 holes by home hero Abraham Ancer, who seems the value option for first-round-leader honours at 30-1. Thomas is not a Mayakoba regular and finished 23rd on his only previous visit, while Ancer has form figures of 9-21-8 from the last three editions and his confidence levels have rocketed since he last tackled El Camaleon.

A barnstorming Presidents Cup debut has been followed by two runner-up efforts on the PGA Tour and last time out Ancer made the final threeball on Masters Sunday before finishing 13th. The later starters are expected to play the majority of their rounds in forecast showers, so Ancer can lay a strong foundation for the week from a 7.40am local (12.40pm UK) Thursday berth.

Marc Leishman must be struggling for self-belief after a miserable spell of form and 13th place in the Masters is not enough to confirm that he is back in business. The Aussie was generally dire in his previous 12 events and 2-1 seems a big price about him missing the cut on Friday.

Corey Conners should arguably be odds-on for top Canadian honours, so the odds-against quotes are more than worthwhile.

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