Steve Palmer's RSM Classic first-round preview, best bets, free golf tips

Golf tips, best match bets and player analysis for the RSM Classic at the Seaside Course on the PGA Tour.

When to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Golf, 2.30pm Thursday

Best bets

Corey Conners to beat Harris English
4pts 4-5 Betfair

Seamus Power to beat Danny Lee
4pts 8-13 Betfair

First-round preview

There is the potential of a draw bias over the first two rounds of the RSM Classic - and punters can use it to their advantage in two 72-hole matches.

The forecast for a calm Thursday followed by a windy Friday means players drawn on the more exposed Seaside Course in round one could get off to a flyer in the opening 36 holes. Competing at the more protected Plantation Course on Friday in this two-course event seems preferable to battling the breeze at the Seaside.

Regardless of any draw edge, Corey Conners and Seamus Power can be fancied to defeat Harris English and Danny Lee.

Conners, one of the most solid ball-strikers on the circuit, achieves consistent results because he is so tidy from tee to green. He has not finished outside the top 40 in his last eight events, and progressive RSM results of 37-23-10 indicate he has got to grips with the Sea Island venues.

Conners starts his RSM campaign at the Seaside on Thursday. English has the opposite draw and comes into the tournament under an injury cloud. He withdrew during round four of the CJ Cup last time out with a flare-up of an old back injury.

Given English needed only to battle through another ten holes to bank a decent cheque - he was seven under par at the time - the back issue must have been serious. He has had a month off since, but his fitness must be taken on trust.

Power, who is typically fantastic around the greens, has the right sort of game for the Seaside Course. He has never done himself justice there before, but the Irishman's confidence has rocketed this year, with a maiden PGA Tour title and a host of other strong performances.

Power, teeing off at the Seaside on Thursday, seems a much more likely title contender than Lee, who starts on the Plantation. Both match-bet recommendations are with Betfair, the draw no bet.

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