Steve Palmer's Phoenix Open first-round preview & golf betting tips

Golf tips, best specials bets and first-round analysis for the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on the PGA Tour.

When to watch

Sky Sports Main Event and Golf, 3pm Thursday

Best bets

Hideki Matsuyama top Asian
3pts 21-20 bet365

Scottie Scheffler first-round leader
1pt each-way 40-1 bet365

Martin Laird to win 7.46pm threeball
1pt 13-8 BoyleSports

Matt Jones to win 2.59pm threeball
1pt 29-20 bet365

First-round preview

Hideki Matsuyama has a tremendous record in the Phoenix Open and the Masters champion will expect to contend again at TPC Scottsdale on Sunday.

Matsuyama, Phoenix champion in 2016 and 2017, was fourth in 2014 and second in 2015 before getting his hands on the trophy. On the form he showed when winning the Sony Open a month ago, the Japanese hero must be feared, and the top Asian market seems at his mercy this week.

Odds-against about Matsuyama defeating Si Woo Kim, CT Pan and the rest of a weak Asian contingent seems excellent value. Hotshot Hideki relishes the dimensions of this course.

The first-round-leader market is also worth an interest, given that, unusually, the later starters could have an edge. The temperature seems set to rise by 11 degrees - 14C to 25C - while a gentle breeze drops away to nothing in the afternoon. Scottie Scheffler - in one of the latest groups out - seems overpriced at 40-1.

Scheffler, ten under par through two rounds at TPC Scottsdale last year, has been playing well enough to suggest another fast start is coming. He has established a great relationship with Ted Scott, who caddied for Bubba Watson for 15 years, and the Scheffler-Scott combo could be in for a successful season.

First-round-threeball punters are pointed towards a Scot and an Aussie who made Scottsdale their home. Matt Jones (2.59pm) and Martin Laird (7.46pm) are both ultra-comfortable at this venue and can be fancied to defeat weak opposition in their groups.

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