Steve Palmer's South African Open first-round preview, best bets, free golf tips

When to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 10am Thursday

Best bets

Ross Fisher to win 10.40am threeball
3pts 21-20 bet365

Wilco Nienaber to win 9.40am threeball
2pts 11-8 general

Preview

Dean Burmester, Charl Schwartzel and Thriston Lawrence comprise the marquee afternoon threeball on day one of the South African Open, teeing off at noon local time (10am UK and Ireland) at the Blair Atholl Estate.

All three are playing extremely well and should be among the birdies. Burmester is the highest-ranked player in the field, but he concedes course knowledge to Schwartzel and Lawrence. Schwartzel used to live at the Blair Atholl Estate, while Lawrence finished sixth there in a Sunshine Tour event last year.

The glamour group makes no appeal from a threeball betting perspective and preference is for supporting Ross Fisher and Wilco Nienaber in a pair of more low-key affairs.

Fisher enjoys his trips to South Africa and has the power to handle this enormous course, while Nienaber is one of the longest drivers in the world. The 8,233-yard track is far less enticing for Shaun Norris and Ashun Wu - Nienaber's playing partners - while the powder-puff James Morrison (and Lyle Rowe) should be left well behind by Fisher.

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