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Smylie should be the most cheerful member of his group

Spieth's pal impressing on the greens

Smylie Kaufman started well in Canada
Smylie Kaufman has been finding some formCredit: Minas Panagiotakis

3pm Thursday

The season of Smylie Kaufman took a turn for the better when he got a putting tip from his friend Jordan Spieth in February and both men have been rolling their rock with assurance since.

Kaufman, likely to be inspired by the Open heroics of his pal, looks a probable title contender in the Barracuda Championship this week and should start the tournament by winning his first-round threeball at Montreux Country Club.

Kaufman, fifth in the Wells Fargo Championship in May, then 12th at Sawgrass, 12th in the Barbasol and 27th in the Canadian Open on Sunday, should outgun veteran playing partners Retief Goosen and Davis Love in the 8.44pm (UK and Ireland time) threeball.

The modified stableford scoring system suits Kaufman, an attacking player prone to colourful scorecards, and the youngest member of the group can be fancied to boss two men who are both well past their best.

Recommendation
S Kaufman to win threeball
1pt 13-10 Betfred

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