PGA Championship Prediction: A very stiff competition

The PGA Championship consists of winners from the past year of PGA Tour events as well as a select group of club pros. There are 156 players competing in the 2021 PGA Championship with the winner receiving a prize of just under $2 million, 100 points towards their Official World Ranking, and permanent eligibility for future PGA Championships.

Overview of Player Odds

Having last hosted the tournament in 2012, Kiawah Island Golf Resort will welcome back the PGA Championship at its Ocean Course. It was Rory McIlroy who won the 2012 edition of the PGA Championship and the Northern Irishman is an 11/1 favourite this time around. Other previous winners competing this year include Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Brooks Koepka at 14/1, 30/1, and 33/1 respectively. These odds will vary between bookmakers so make sure to check what odds your favoured sports betting platform is offering.

Favourites

This section will take a look at some of the frontrunners for the top spot. The following are some of the most fancied names in the event:

Rory McIlroy

The 11/1 favourite for the PGA Championship represents reasonable value ahead of the tournament. He comes into this off the back of a solid win in Charlotte and could make history by joining a shortlist of three-time winners. Returning to the venue of one of his most impressive wins could be the catalyst to bring about his fifth major.

Xander Schauffele

The course is set up well for Schauffele’s ball-striking ability to finally reap its reward on the biggest of stages. He has been largely effective at majors despite not winning one just yet.

He’s finished in the top six on seven occasions from 15 major tournament appearances and may well be due for a top spot finish. 

Viktor Hovland

Having finished in the top five times this season, Viktor Hovland has been in good form. He’s had a shortbread ahead of the PGA Championship and fits the profile of many winners having already won a major this season and currently being in the top 25 in the rankings. Hovland has been successful on similar fairways and should be in good stead to challenge here.

Justin Thomas

Previous success in the Carolina states may give Thomas the confidence he needs to win his second career major. Following on from the disappointment of Augusta, many are backing him to put that behind him and pull out a strong performance here. His experience in difficult conditions should benefit him.

Jon Rahm

Strong displays in major championships make him a top contender to win. Six top ten finishes in the last three years mean he has to be high up in everyone’s estimations. Rahm is all set up to have a real go for his first major championship and backing him may be a smart move.

If any of those names pique your interest, you can back them with the prospect of decent returns. There is a selection of top companies to bet with so have a look around and compare odds to find the most favourable for your selection. 

Outsider Odds

Perhaps you’re looking for more speculative contenders in this year’s PGA Championship. If so, you can back an each-way place including as many as 11 places paying out. The following outsiders have odds of around 100/1 or longer but maybe worth some consideration.

Billy Horschel

Horschel has climbed into the world’s top 20 after success at the WGC-Match Play and is arguably playing the best golf of his life at 34 years old. His record is strong compared to other names of similar rank for this season but that isn’t necessarily reflected in his odds. He’s a strong outsider to finish high and potentially payout on any bets backing the American. 

Stewart Cink

There are only two players in golf with multiple PGA Tour victories this season and one of them is Stewart Cink. The 47-year-old is playing phenomenally well at the moment and should be considered a decent outside bet. Majors are entirely different but Cink has participated in five of them over the past three years. 

Branden Grace

Recent major winners are often worth taking notice of and this is no different with Branden Grace. Keegan Bradley and Y.E. Yang is proof that doing so can pay dividends. A win in the Puerto Rico Open in which Grace coped well with difficult conditions shows his skill. He came close to winning the 2015 US Open and could well go one better here.

Henrik Stenson

Stenson is certainly a longshot but his inclusion in this list isn’t without some backing. The winner of the 2016 Open Championship has pedigree but has not been on top form this year resulting in some very long odds. He recently made the cut at Valspar suggesting he may be turning a corner in terms of form. It may not be enough to convince many but if you fancy a punt, Stenson could be worth looking at closely.

Jazz Janewattananond

Both Stenson and Janewattananond are coached by Pete Cowen, Rory McIlroy’s former coach who also has a past record of helping guide former PGA Championship winners to glory. Janewattananond impressed in Asia a few months ago and has made nine of ten cuts after taking a bit of time to get back into the swing of things. 

Select Winners Odds

Rory McIlroy – 11/1

Jon Rahm – 15/1

Dustin Johnson – 18/1

Jordan Spieth – 18/1

Justin Thomas – 18/1

Bryson Dechambeau – 19/1

Xander Schauffele – 20/1

Viktor Hovland – 22/1

Collin Morikawa – 31/1

Daniel Berger – 32/1

Hideki Matsuyama – 33/1

Patrick Reed – 36/1

Brooks Koepka – 45/1

Tommy Fleetwood – 55/1

Scottie Scheffler – 60/1

Keegan Bradley – 80/1

Brian Harman – 90/1

Justin Rose – 90/1

Robert MacIntyre – 120/1

Max Homa – 150/1

Billy Horschel – 160/1

Stewart Cink – 220/1

Phil Mickelson – 280/1

Victor Perez – 280/1

Jazz Janewattananond – 390/1

Y.E. Yang -1000/1