WGC-Workday Championship predictions and first-round preview: Scott could shine

Free golf match-betting tips for the WGC-Workday Championship at The Concession Golf Club, starting on Thursday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Golf, 4pm, Thursday

Best bets

Adam Scott to beat Hideki Matsuyama
2pts 10-11 bet365

Joaquin Niemann to beat Harris English
2pts 17-20 Betfred

First-round preview

Thursday is Hideki Matsuyama's 29th birthday, but that looks like the only thing the Japanese star will be celebrating at the WGC-Workday Championship this week.

Renowned as a Major winner in waiting for the last few years, Matsuyama hasn't got going in 2021 and there looks a decent chance that his effort at the first World Golf Championship of the year could be eclipsed by former Masters champion Adam Scott.

Matsuyama missed the cut at last week's Genesis Invitational and that followed mediocre form figures of 41-19-53-42, which is more disappointing when you consider the first of those finishes was in the small-field Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

So it seems sensible not to expect much this week on an unfamiliar track at The Concession in Florida, while Scott looks to be on an upward curve, even if his performances have not been spectacular.

He was 38th at the Genesis but should be encouraged by the 66 he posted in the final round, especially as it came after finishing tenth in his previous outing at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Experiments with a new putter were also hailed as a success.

The 2013 Augusta winner has missed two of his last 24 cuts so he should be able to put up another solid performance.

Harris English won the Tournament of Champions but has gone off the boil since, with a 32nd at the Sony Open in Hawaii and missed cuts at the Farmers Insurance and Phoenix Opens.

He looks worth opposing in a match bet with rising Chilean star Joaquin Niemann, who should have the driving and putting ability to make a bold bid this week.

He made an encouraging start at the Genesis before coming off the rails with a Saturday 78, but that came after consecutive second places at the Tournament of Champions and the Sony Open, so it seems his game is in finer fettle.

Tiger Woods was beginning a long recovery from leg surgery on Wednesday after the 15-time Major champion was involved in a serious car accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning.

Woods was already recuperating from a back operation and was doubtful for April's Masters.

Betfair have voided him for all four 2021 Major markets on both their sportsbook and the exchange.

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