Steve Palmer's Bermuda Championship predictions, best bets, free golf tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the Bermuda Championship at Port Royal GC on the PGA Tour.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Golf from 4pm on Thursday

Best bets

Will Zalatoris
3pts 11-1 general
Doc Redman
1.5pts each-way 28-1 Hills
Aaron Wise
1pt each-way 45-1Betfred
Justin Suh
1pt each-way 40-1 Betfair, Hills, Paddy Power

Brendon Todd found Port Royal GC a doddle in last year's inaugural Bermuda Championship, reaching 24 under par to end a five-year victory drought in style, but the weather forecast suggests the competitors are in for a tougher challenge this time.

Thursday is set to be the calm before the storm, with the final three days featuring strong winds, so the exposed layout will probably be no picnic despite being sub-7,000 yards.

Todd is tempting given his affection for the course, but he has registered only one top-ten finish since lockdown and his lack of punch off the tee could prove a bigger handicap this year when the wind is howling in his face.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Will Zalatoris 11-1

Waiting until the tee times are announced could prove a smart move for punters this week - avoiding a Friday afternoon slot seems favourable - but those who want to take the plunge early are pointed to the chances of Will Zalatoris.

With three rounds in strong winds expected, his ball-striking quality should count for plenty. The 24-year-old Californian oozes tee-to-green control, which is why 14 of his last 15 starts have resulted in a top-20 finish.

Aside from a missed cut in the Sanderson Farms Championship, Zalatoris has spent most of his post-lockdown life on leaderboards, winning on the Korn Ferry Tour in July before finishing sixth in the US Open in September.

That Winged Foot effort, where he tied with Dustin Johnson, proved to Zalatoris that he is already equipped to compete at the highest level. He has followed up with eighth place in the Corales Puntacana Championship and fifth in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last time out, and a bright PGA Tour future seems inevitable.

Zalatoris, atop the Korn Ferry greens-in-regulation statistics, is long and straight, and his short game is improving. He fully deserves favouritism, having consistently outperformed the rest of the field since lockdown, and a PGA Tour breakthrough could be coming on Sunday with a bit of tee-time fortune.

Next best bet

Doc Redman 28-1

Another top-class ball-striker who can hang tough while the wind whips across Port Royal is Doc Redman, who, like Zalatoris, is pumped and focused as he bids to shed his maiden tag.

Redman, third in the Wyndham Championship in August, then again in the Safeway Open last month, tied for 35th in the inaugural Bermuda Championship and has fully established himself on the Tour since. The 22-year-old Carolinian finished 20th on his Open debut and appears comfortable in breezy conditions.

Other selections

Aaron Wise 45-1

Justin Suh 40-1

The recent form of Aaron Wise is nothing to write home about, but he was in similar nick before last year's Bermuda Championship and finished third, closing with a 65.

Wise, the 2018 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, is a class act who has lost his way, but this week, having to play on instinct and feel in tough conditions on a course he clearly likes, could spark a revival.

Complete your attack with Justin Suh, who will probably never again be available at the 300-1 taken for his last event. That was an eighth-place finish in the Shriners Open, following 14th spot in the Corales Puntacana Championship, and the Californian youngster is clearly good enough to become a PGA Tour star.

Suh will appreciate the generous fairways, and the large greens also play into his hands, as the former world number one amateur is a superb putter from long range.

Players to note

Emiliano Grillo
The ball-striking quality of the Argentinian and his comfort in a breeze means he must be considered. The assignment suits him well, but fading from contention has become a Grillo trademark.

Henrik Stenson
The former Open champion could enjoy this mission and use the low-grade event to revive his career. He won the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December.

Padraig Harrington
Another Open champ who could make waves at a fancy price. Harrington can claim to be a course winner, having won the four-man Grand Slam event at this track.

Stewart Cink
The 2009 Open champion, who got back to winning ways in the Safeway Open last month, has to be given some respect in this grade.

Port Royal course guide

Course Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton, Bermuda
Prize money $4m ($720,000 to the winner)
Length 6,828 yards
Par 71
Field 132
Course records- 72 holes 260 Brendon Todd (2019) 18 holes 62 Scottie Scheffler, Brendon Todd (2019)

Course winners taking part Brendon Todd

When to bet By 10.30am on Thursday

When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf from 4pm on Thursday

Time difference Bermuda is three hours behind the UK and Ireland

Last week - Zozo Championship 1 P Cantlay (30-1), T2 J Rahm (10-1), J Thomas (12-1), T4 R Henley (50-1), C Smith (80-1), B Watson (35-1), R Palmer (110-1)

Course type Parkland

Course overview The Bermuda Championship was staged for the first time last year, played as an alternate PGA Tour event in the same week as the WGC-HSBC Champions, but it has got increased status this year after the cancellation of the HSBC. Full FedEx Cup points are on offer, as well as a place in the 2021 Masters for the winner, and an extra $1m has been added to the prize fund. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones on high ground overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in 1970, then renovated by Robert Rulewich in 2009. Most of the early holes are flat, before the course moves to undulating terrain and some oceanside cliffs. The fairways are generous but the huge, undulating greens can cause plenty of three-putts. The course hosted the Grand Slam of Golf from 2009-2014 - an event for the year's Major winners. The 235-yard, par-three 16th is the signature hole and the toughest on the track, with a forced carry across the ocean. The three par fives - the second, seventh and 17th - are all relatively short by modern standards and represent excellent birdie opportunities.

The story of last year Brendon Todd fired a Sunday 62, cruising to a four-shot victory, with Harry Higgs a distant runner-up.

Weather forecast Sunny throughout, but after a relatively calm Thursday, strong winds are expected for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Type of player suited to the challenge With winds expected to play a significant role, an ability to control the ball from tee to green in a breeze seems essential. A late tee time on Friday could be a serious disadvantage.

Key attribute Accuracy

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