Hyundai Tournament of Champions Tips: The pick of first round two-ball bets

Is DJ a selection for you this week?

The golf season swings back into action in Hawaii where a small, elite field has gathered for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Dan Geraghty picks the best bets from the opening round two-balls

Another year, another golf season and Twitter can be our friend as the players return from their Christmas holidays. Ian Poulter has repeatedly tweeted negative reports on his game during the past week, including: "I wouldn't be picking me in any fantasy pick or bet this week even with my own money. Slapping it...It's been a good Christmas."

In fact it seems he's spent most of his time in Maui on the beach. His first-round oppenent Jonas Blixt putted fantastically when impressing last year and will perhaps be hungrier than the Englishman for success this week.

Like Poulter, defending champion Steve Stricker will play this week and then not tee it up until February. The 45-year-old has decided he's only playing around 10 events this year to spend more time with his family and concentrate on his foundation. It's therefore fair to assume he won't have put in as much preparation time for his season's start as first-round partner Brandt Snedeker, who has it all ahead of him. I'm happy to oppose Stricker on those grounds...but it's unlikely to be easy the veteran boasts excellent course form.

My first two selections have to overcome their opponent's greater experience of the Plantation Course, but Keegan Bradley's 16th place finish here last year means he should hold an advantage over young John Huh who makes his debut here after an impressive first season on tour. Bradley has very quickly established himself on tour and will relish his position among the favourites.

Dustin Johnson is a popular pick this week, the course looks perfect on paper and we are led to believe the big-hitting American was the first player in Maui practicing. Johnson's 2012 was interrupted by injury, but expect him to make up for lost time by starting 2013 fast.

Another bomber the course should suit is Charlie Beljan. Achieving his card and getting to Maui weighed heavy on his mind as he crawled over the winning line at the Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. But now that he's here he's going to enjoy it (and his tee shots will travel FOREVER). On this set-up I like his chances of beating Tommy 'Two Gloves' Gainey, who is something of an enigma.

Reccomended Bets
2pts Jonas Blixt to beat Ian Poulter @ 2.25n/a 
1pt Brandt Snedeker to beat Steve Stricker @ 2.15n/a 
2pts Keegan Bradley to beat John Huh @ 1.75/7 
2pts Dustin Johnson to beat Bubba Watson @ 1.9520/21
1pt Charlie Beljan to beat Tommy Gainey @ 2.111/10 

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