Is it worth placing an each way bet on the reigning major champions?

When the major championships arrive, golf fans, experts and plenty of outsiders are always wondering who’ll win or place inside the top 10 to try make a small profit.

Most people look at the previous year’s results to determine where their money will go but is there a point in looking at what happened 12 months ago if you want to make some money on golf’s major championships?

The stats don’t lie

You have to go as far back as 2008 to find the last man to win the same major championship back-to-back when Padraig Harrington won The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale having previously lifted the Claret Jug at Carnoustie the year before.

The stats aren’t pretty for reigning major champions. Since 2011 only, four have placed inside the top 10 the following year. Jason Day (2016 PGA Championship), Jordan Spieth (2016 Masters), Rory McIlroy (2013 PGA Championship) and Keegen Bradley (2012 PGA Championship).

However, if you were betting on the reigning champion finishing inside the top 20 the next year the stats don’t seem as bleak with a further six players finishing inside the top 20.

Despite this, eight players have missed the cut and two withdrawn the year after finishing on top of the very same major.

In short, it’s best to stay away from the previous year’s winner if you want to bet and make some money on players placing. You’re better looking at specialist markets such as missing the cut or finish inside the top 20, which can help you when placing a bet.