The PGA Tour heads East to New York on Thursday (AEDT) as the PGA Championship tees off from the famed Black Course at Bethpage State Park.
After a thrilling edition of The Masters last month, the second major of 2019 promises to provide plenty of drama, and most importantly, valuable odds.
Four-time winner Tiger Woods has been installed as a co-favourite, while there’s also plenty of love for 2015 winner Jason Day.
With over 30 of the world’s top golfers in attendance, be sure to read on below for our entire 2019 US PGA Championship Preview.
2019 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP BEST BET
Rickie Fowler – $26.00
Fowler has never won a major, but he’s a huge dark horse this year. He won’t hold particularly fond memories of Bethpage after blowing a 54 hole lead at The Northern Trust Open back in 2016, but his recent form more than stacks up. Fowler tied for ninth at Augusta this year, backing up with a T4 at the Wells Fargo last fortnight. The 30-year-old also owns seven Top 20 finishes in his last nine Majors, making him a strong bet at great odds to finally claim some of golf’s royalty.
2019 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP TOP 5 FINISH
Jon Rahm – $4.33
The Spaniard rejoined the winners’ circle last month carding a brilliant -26 under to claim the Zurich Classic. Rahm is yet to win a Major, but he’ll be hungry to improve on his T4 finish at last year’s Championship. A lengthy two-week rest should only help his chances, and with two Top 10 finishes in his last two Major starts, don’t be surprised to see Rahm among the leaders on Monday.
2019 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP TOP 10 FINISH
Brooks Koepka – $2.00
The American has opened his last three tournaments as a favourite and certainly hasn’t disappointed. Koepka tied for second at Augusta, 22nd at the Zurich Classic and fourth at the Byron Nelson last week. Last year’s champ hopes to join Tiger Woods as the only other player to defend his PGA crown, and with a much-improved display with the putter last week at Trinity Forest, you can’t look past the 29-year-old. The long bomber excelled last year at Bellerive holding and looks well-suited to Bethpage this week.
2019 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP TOP 20 FINISH
Francesco Molinari – $2.10
Molinari is on the verge of another major win having tied for ninth at The Masters last month. Last year’s British Open winner tied for second at the 2017 PGA Championship and should head to Bethpage well-rested after a handy three-week break.
2019 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD
Dustin Johnson – $11.00
The World No. 1 has never won this tournament, but he’s come close. Johnson owns four Top 10 finishes at this event with his best result coming in 2010 where he tied for fifth. Bethpage could present a few problems, but Johnson’s recent form makes him a deserving co-favourite this weekend. The 12-year Tour veteran ranks Top 10 in the PGA’s putting and tee-to-green ratings to go along with his six Top 10 finishes this year.
Tiger Woods – $11.00
A well-rested Tiger returns to Bethpage after his historic Masters victory last month. The four-time PGA winner won the 2002 US Open on this course, the only year he won both opening Majors on Tour. The 43-year-old has rediscovered his short game this season to rank among the best in the PGA’s around-the-green and tee-to-green rating. If nothing else, teeing off alongside Brooks Koepka and Francesco Molinari should be a fun watch.
Rory McIlroy – $13.00
The two-time Championship winner is overdue for a big performance in a Major. McIlroy tied for 21st at Augusta last month before finishing eighth at Quail Hollow a fortnight ago. McIlroy hasn’t won a Major in over five years and looks well positioned to end the drought leading the PGA in off-the-tee.
Jason Day – $21.00
The Aussie heads to Bethpage with one thing in mind: revenge. Day’s third round 73 cost him a winning chance at Augusta last month, but the good news is he still held on for a T5 finish. Missing the cut at the Zurich hurt, but Day bounced back to finish inside the Top 30 at Quail Hollow a week later. The Aussie has quietly developed into the complete package this season ranking 11th in putting and fifth in the PGA’s off-the-tee rating. Let’s just hope his back holds up.
Justin Rose – $21.00
Putting alone should keep Rose competitive this weekend. The Englishman leads the PGA in putts inside four feet, and with three Top 10 finishes from his last four starts, Rose looks great value at this price. Rose finished inside the Top 20 at this event last year, but there are still a few questions left to be answered after missing the cut at The Masters.
Xander Schauffele – $26.00
The 25-year-old continues to fly under the radar in major tournaments. Schauffele tied for second at The Masters last month adding to his impressive resume of Top 10 finishes at major events. The only tournament that’s proved a hindrance is the PGA Championship – Schauffele’s best result at this event was his T35 effort last year.
Adam Scott – $41.00
The Australian continues to flirt with the winner’s circle. Scott hasn’t won on Tour since 2016, but he’ll head to Bethpage confident knowing he strung together two Top 20 finishes before missing the cut at the Zurich Classic last month.
Paul Casey – $51.00
Don’t sleep on the 41-year-old Tour veteran. Casey has finished Top 10 in four of his last six starts to rank ninth on Tour in the PGA’s Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green. Looks to improve after missing the cut at last year’s Championship.
