2020 PGA Championship Betting Preview And Tips

There is nothing to separate Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas as 10/1 joint favourites this week, except maybe the fact that Brooks is going for a Wannamaker three-peat.  Both are too short for my each-way betting strategy in a stacked field BUT for those brave enough to put on a win-only bet know that Brooks hit 55 greens in Memphis on his way to a return to form T2 while Thomas won for the third time in the 2020 PGA Tour season and was the last man to win the PGA in 2017 before Brooks took over.

One of these guys that is built for Major tests.  Of his 11 Major starts to date Xander has finished in the top-6 five times (paid out each way).  Improving in form from a T14 and T13 in a fortnight at Muirfield Village to a T6 in Memphis last week.  Harding Park will need accuracy off the tee and that is a staple of the Schauffele game. Solid each way look then at 18/1.

If Harding Park does turn out to be the cold windy beast that plays much longer than its yardage, you’ve got to like Jon Rahm.  Spotty form was erased in a instant with a win at Memorial and if his fairways and greens game is there this week, a first Major win is a distinct possibly.  Four top-10’s in his still relatively early Major career.

If the first two picks are too short odds for you Jason Day at 40/1 makes up for it.  I actually believe he’s a little overpriced.  An injury free run of late has seen a formline of T7 in the Workday, T4 in The Memorial and T6 last week in Memphis.  Day won the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and has four other top-10’s besides since 2013.  A good week off the tee and a back that behaves in the cooler August San Fran conditions and I think Day can place here.

It’s hard to read Dustin Johnson on any given week.  Won the Travelers and looked amazing, missed the cut next time out at Memorial.  Withdrew after an opening 78 at the 3M open, then battled to a T12 at WGC St Jude last week.  What I do know is that DJ gives the Majors his very best and that sole win in the 2016 US Open hardly does his career justice.  Sixteen other Major top-10’s besides presents a better picture and I think a lower key behind closed doors championship with the focus off him will suit DJ this week.

May not be the perfect fit for everyone but I’ve steadfastly stood by my theory that Webb Simpson has again the game and temperament to add to his 2012 US Open win. Creeping Bentgrass greens with a bit of Poa Annua snuck in by the sea….it doesn’t really matter to Simpson who simply has his putting stroke back in 2020.  Winner in Phoenix and Hilton Head, he’s a ball striker on a course that will eliminate many early.

I am also posting a separate article highlighting my top 5 bet at odds over 50/1 and you check that out here.