While the PGA Championship can be a stage for unknown players (think Y.E. Yang and Jimmie Walker), the trend has been on stars, and Online Gambling’s Five Bets likes stars over unknowns. We think Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson are going to do well.
The other star of this major championship could be Bethpage Black. The golf course can be punishing in relatively benign conditions, but add tighter fairways, wet conditions, and the nerves of a big tournament, and scores might be a lot lower than people expect.
We look at those factors, and make some recommendations for proposition bets that gamblers might enjoy. Our picks are below.
Top American Player Brooks Koepka 13/2
If you believe Brooks Koepka is the best golfer right now, taking him as the top American player is a no brainer. He is the defending champion, and has something of a chip on his shoulder since he isn’t really getting the credit he should.
Blame Tigermania for that, but that might be to the benefit of bettors. At 13/2, the odds are really attractive and could end up paying off well on Sunday.
Take Brooks Koepka to be top American.
Dustin Johnson or Brooks Koepka Win 6/1
Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka are two of the top picks to win at 10/1, just behind favorite Tiger Woods, who is at 8/1. This course will favor all three. They are all long hitters who shouldn’t struggle as much as some with the long course.
Johnson is 25th in driving distance, but his 194th ranking in driving accuracy is a concern. It didn’t affect him at the Masters, though, where he finished second.
Koepka is the best player in the game right now. He is the defending champion, and ranks 14th in driving distance and 88th in driving accuracy.
One of the two could easily find the winner’s circle, and at 6/1 odds, we like the value in this bet.
Take Dustin Johnson or Brooks Koepka to win.
Gary Woodland to Finish in Top 10 6/1
This is another good value bet at 6/1. Woodland has the power (No. 8 in driving distance), and the accuracy off the tee (68th), to compete at this venue.
He finished tied for sixth last year, and has three top-10 finishes this year, including a second place at the Tournament of Champions.
The only red flag is his best golf was earlier in the year, but we think he’ll be in the mix at this event.
Take Gary Woodland to finish in top 10.
Winning Margin Two Strokes 3/1
Since 2013, the winning margin of victory has favored two strokes. It has happened three of last six events, including last year when Koepka defeated Woods by that margin.
We like two-under again this year. This will be a tight tournament, and could come down to the back nine. If that is the case, look for a golfer to only separate themselves by a couple of strokes.
Take winning margin of two strokes.
Winning Score Over/Under 8-Under
People look at this major championship as a birdie fest, and a lot of times it is exactly that. Winning scores of 10-under par or better are quite common, and it would be tempting to immediately take the over for this bet.
But look at Bethpage Black’s history in the two major championships it hosted. In the 2009 US Open the winning score was 4-under, and in 2002 it was 3-under. Granted these were US Opens and the conditions were made more difficult, but the weather might just make this course play like a nation’s championship.
This course is going to play longer, and birdies should not come as easily as other PGA Championships. The under bet could prove to be a smart play.
Take the under.