Steve Palmer's Portugal Masters first-round preview, best bets, free golf tips

When to watch

Sky Sports Golf, midday Thursday

Best bets

Calum Hill to win threeball
1pt 13-8 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

Preview

Lucas Bjerregaard has fond memories of the Dom Pedro Victoria Course - it was the scene of his maiden European Tour title in the 2017 Portugal Masters - but attempts to improve his swing have backfired and a less successful week could be in store in Vilamoura this time.

Bjerregaard was 43rd in the world rankings in May, 2019, but he starts this week at 664th after a poor run of results. Swing changes with Sean Foley have not had the desired effect and the 30-year-old Dane must be regretting the tinkering.

Bjerregaard's course success means he is being given plenty of respect by layers for his 11.50am Portugal Masters threeball with Calum Hill and Andy Sullivan, but preference is for the Scottish member of the group.

Hill has seen his career heading in the opposite direction to Bjerregaard's in recent months. A maiden European Tour title in the Cazoo Classic in August has been followed by some decent golf and he seems the most likely of this trio to get among the birdies at the Dom Pedro.

Sullivan has been abysmal for two months, withdrawing after an opening round of 80 at Valderrama last time out, and Hill has overtaken the Englishman in the world rankings.

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