The PGA Championship Preview

The PGA Championship | 9 August- 12 August |  Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Ocean Course

As the final Major of the year rolls around, the world’s best once again take the stage to compete for a share of the $8 million prize fund. The Ocean Course at Kiawah is a most brutal course, one of the most these players are going to face and playing at almost 7,700 yards in length, immediately focus has to turn to players who hit it long. This will be especially true if forecasts come to fruition and the course is hit by strong winds in the afternoon. Fortunately, the fairways are wide and the rough is short so accuracy off the tee isn’t key. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for the greens, which demand accurate iron play. Over-par scores are going to be the order of the day and I reckon experience will be key in navigating the difficult layout. This is going to be a tough one to call, but let’s see what we can do.   

To Win Outright
Tiger Woods  8/1
Rory McIlroy  18/1
Luke Donald  18/1
Lee Westwood  22/1
Dustin Johnson  25/1

South Africans
Louis Oosthuizen  33/1
Charl Schwartzel  60/1
Ernie Els  66/1
Retief Goosen  100/1
Branden Grace  150/1
Tim Clark  175/1   

VALUE BETS
Rory McIlroy (18/1 a win, 9/2 a place)
If you’d asked me who I thought would win this one last week, I would not have considered McIlroy as a serious contender. However, he really impressed at the Bridgestone and so finds himself in my selections this week. He hits it long and currently sits at 12th in driving distance on Tour. Fortunately, the wide fairways will give him a bit of leeway if the wind comes into play so I’m expecting him to navigate the course well and handle any conditions thrown at him. This will be his last chance to win a major in 2012, expect him to make a serious attempt at it here.

Graeme McDowell (35/1 a win, 88/10 a place)
McDowell has to be the most consistent player in Majors this year, and if anyone is due a win, it’s him. After he tied for 2nd at the US Open and 5th at the British, he showed he has what it takes to handle the pressure, despite falling agonisingly short on both occasions. If he manages to get himself into position this week I expect him to hold on for a place. A win would be a real treat though, 40-1 is nothing to turn your nose up at.  

Bubba Watson (35/1 a win, 88/10 a place)
Bubba Watson is becoming a regular in this tipping blog, and why not? Lately, courses seem to have suited long hitters and no-one hits it further than Watson. His ironic pink shaft aside, he thrashes it down the fairway like no other and combines this with decent iron play to ensure he’s in the mix nearly every time he tees off. A win at this year's Masters is the highlight of his career and a second Major title may be a bit much to ask, but on this course he’s going to do well. He’s also coming into this on the back of great performances in his last 11 starts, so there’s no reason to bet against him here. Each way is the bet for me on Bubba this week.

TOP BET: Jim Furyk (50/1 a win, 25/2 a place)In a meltdown to rival Adam Scott’s, Furyk did the unthinkable and hit a succession of terrible shots to allow Keegan Bradley to win the Bridgestone Invitational. He still ticks a lot of boxes this week though and should be a real contender. He drives it shorter than the rest of the players I’ve tipped but will be able to overcome this with solid long iron play and great putting ability. I’m surprised to see him at 50/1 whilst Tiger dominated the betting at 8/1, but that’s the golf betting world for you. In my mind 25/1 should be about right for him, so at these odds he can’t be ignored. Each way on Furyk should earn a tidy profit, get involved.

 

Written by @Matt_Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!

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