Steve Palmer's QBE Shootout first-round predictions and free golf tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the first-round of the QBE Shootout at Tiburon GC on the PGA Tour.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event and Golf, 6.30pm Thursday

Best bets

Harris English & Matt Kuchar wire-to-wire win
1pt 14-1 bet65

Maverick McNealy & Lexi Thompson to win 3.45pm Friday
1pt 9-4 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

Nelly Korda & Denny McCarthy to win 4pm Friday
1pt 2-1 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

First-round preview

QBE Shootout kings Harris English and Matt Kuchar can be backed at 14-1 for a wire-to-wire success this week, which means leading after every round and taking the trophy.

The odds are of interest given that English and Kuchar are one of the best putting partnerships in the competition. The day-one scramble format means loose shots are not overly punished - holing putts is the key to scoring well.

English finished 12th on the PGA Tour putting stats in the season before his injury issues developed at the end of last year, while Kuchar finished 11th in last season's putting stats. This pair have always been effective rock-rollers and are well capable of setting the early pace, laying the foundation for potentially claiming a fourth QBE Shootout crown.

The market is greatly respecting two teams this week who could be worth opposing in the first-round scramble. Jason Day and Billy Horschel are short-price favourites to defeat Maverick McNealy and Lexi Thompson in the 3.45pm (UK and Ireland time) contest, while Max Homa and Kevin Kisner have also been chalked up as bankers against Nelly Korda and Denny McCarthy (4pm). The value arguably lies with the outsiders.

McNealy and McCarthy are two of the best putters on the PGA Tour and their flat-stick prowess counts for a great deal in the scramble. LPGA Tour stars Thompson and Korda are both Floridians, comfortable at Tiburon GC, and the betting seems to underrate their chances of success.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A 65" TV

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport