The field at the 105th PGA Championship faces a stern test at Oak Hill Country Club. The East Course demands a player to excel at all parts of him game for 72 holes. Much like Jimmy Walker’s win at Baltusrol or Phil Mickelson’s at Kiawah, when the conditions are increasingly hard, long shots can find a way into contention. It’s not likely a +10000 player or longer will win, but if you were inclined to go further down the betting board here is who I would be tailing.
· Keegan Bradley (+9000) elevates his game in the northeast. The New England native finished seventh last year when the U.S. Open was played in Boston. An excellent ball striker, the 2011 PGA champion has the perfect skill set for Oak Hill. A win at the ZOZO earlier in the season in wet conditions and runner-up at the Farmers proves why Bradley can do it.
Bradley’s last win before the fall came in 2018 at the BMW, contested on another Donald Ross gem in Philadelphia. Classic courses favor Keegan and at those long odds are a great opportunity for a big win.
· The expected forecast for Rochester is cool and damp. If the conditions are correct, a Canadian like Corey Conners (+12000) can contend. When ball striking is at a premium, Conners fills the shoes of a Jason Dufner or Shaun Micheel. One of the few players who can gain over 10 shots off-the-tee and approach combined, if Conners has a hot putter he can win.
Conners creates a ton of birdie opportunities. On a week where bogeys will happen, his ability to score keeps him near the top of the leaderboard.
· Winning a major championship takes incredible grit and excellent play. Earning the No. 1 ranking in the world requires a similar amount of dedication and resolve. Justin Rose (+12000) has achieved both in his career. With a win under his belt in 2023, Rose has cemented himself as a complete contender once again by finishing sixth at THE PLAYERS and 16th at the Masters.
His last three starts in the PGA: ninth at TPC Harding Park, eighth at Kiawah, and 13th at Southern Hills. Rose’s game and form are there for a long shot victory at Oak Hill.
Keith Stewart, PGA covers the PGA TOUR and LPGA from a betting perspective. Published by Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, and PGA TOUR, Keith is also the founder of a golf betting media company called Read The Line.
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