Steve Palmer's QBE Shootout second-round preview, free golf betting tips

Best bets

Harris English & Matt Kuchar to beat Lanto Griffin and Mackenzie Hughes
2pts Evens Betfair, Power

Ryan Palmer & Harold Varner to beat Kevin Na and Sean O'Hair
2pts 10-11 Betfair, Power

Story so far

Kevin Na and Sean O'Hair pinged the lids in spectacular fashion to hit the front in the first round of the QBE Shootout pairs event - the American duo covering their opening 12 holes in 12 under par.

The first round was under the scramble format, which encourages low scoring, but Na and O'Hair took advantage in remarkable fashion, carding two eagles and 12 birdies to reach 16 under par through 18 holes.

The pre-tournament market was made to look ridiculous, given Na and O'Hair were the 30-1 outsiders in the 12-team event. The ante-post favourites - Abraham Ancer and Matthew Wolff - are tied for last place at ten under par.

Leaderboard
-16 Kevin Na & Sean O'Hair
-15 Ryan Palmer & Harold Varner
-14 Lanto Griffin & Mackenzie Hughes, Harris English & Matt Kuchar
-13 Rory Sabbatini & Kevin Tway, Cameron Champ & Tony Finau
-12 Daniel Berger & Steve Stricker, Louis Oosthuizen & Bubba Watson

Best prices
5 R Palmer & H Varner, 11-2 H English & M Kuchar, K Na & S O'Hair, 13-2 C Champ & T Finau, 7 L Griffin & M Hughes, 11 L Oosthuizen & B Watson, 14 D Berger & S Stricker, 18 bar

Second-round preview

The outsiders are frontrunning, but with greensomes and betterball sessions to come on Saturday and Sunday, expect Kevin Na and Sean O'Hair to get swamped by the chasing pack.

Ryan Palmer and Harold Varner are a pair of genial, jovial characters who could chuckle their way to bundles of birdies in sunny Naples over the next 36 holes, while two-time QBE Shootout champions Harris English and Matt Kuchar have also laid an excellent foundation for the weekend.

The Palmer-Varner, and English-Kuchar pairings are the ones who in-running punters are advised to concentrate upon, as well as the Daniel Berger and Steve Stricker combination. From only four shots behind, Berger and Stricker are still well in the hunt.

The day two advice is to back Palmer and Varner to defeat Na and O'Hair in the final greensomes match on the tee (5.30pm UK and Ireland time), and to support English and Kuchar against Lanto Griffin and Mackenzie Hughes in the penutimate contest (5.18pm).

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport