Kevin Chappell and Kevin Kisner can start well in QBE Shootout

Sky Sports Golf, 6.30pm Friday

The opening round of the QBE Shootout starts at 3.15pm UK and Ireland time, with a scramble format for the first day, and the Kevins – Chappell and Kisner – can beat their playing partners.

Both members of each team tee off, then they pick the best position of the two balls to proceed from, both hitting from there, repeating the process until a ball is holed. Team cohesion is arguably more important in this format than any other, which is why Chappell and Kisner appeal.

Read Steve Palmer's QBE Shootout outright preview here

The Kevins are good friends – Chappell stays at Kisner's house during the Masters – and will be extremely comfortable in working together on strategy. The Presidents Cup stars are likely to inspire one another, and could leave the combination of Daniel Berger and Gary Woodland behind.

Berger and Woodland are contrasting characters who may not gel, and both are prone to wild driving. A bogey or two could appear on their scorecard if they both fire a loose drive on the same hole. Kisner is the straightest driver in the quartet, as well as the best putter, and he can swing this match the way of the Kevins.

Charley Hoffman, runner-up in the Hero World Challenge on Sunday, and Zach Johnson, a dual Major champion rediscovering some form, are a surprisingly big price at 8-13 to defeat Tony Finau and Lexi Thompson, the only LPGA Tour representative in the field. Thompson is a fine player on her own circuit, but a weak link in her team this week.

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