The PGA Championship begins Thursday at Harding Park in San Francisco, and the first major of the year has been eagerly anticipated. The PGA Championship was supposed to be contested in May, but the COVID-19 global pandemic forced its postponement.
The major was rescheduled for Aug. 6-9 at the Northern California golf course. Even that date was in doubt for a while, but the PGA of America worked with California Gov. Gavin Newsom to ensure the tournament will be played, albeit without fans.
Odds to Win PGA Championship
| Golfer | William Hill | Ladbrokes | DraftKings |
| Justin Thomas | 10/1 | 9/1 | 9/1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 10/1 | 10/1 | 11/1 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | 11/1 | 16/1 | 15/1 |
| Rory McIlroy | 14/1 | 12/1 | 15/1 |
| Jon Rahm | 14/1 | 12/1 | 15/1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 20/1 | 20/1 | 23/1 |
| Xander Schauffele | 22/1 | 20/1 | 18/1 |
| Tiger Woods | 22/1 | 25/1 | 33/1 |
| Patrick Cantlay | 24/1 | 28/1 | 25/1 |
| Webb Simpson | 28/1 | 25/1 | 33/1 |
| Collin Morikawa | 35/1 | 30/1 | 35/1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 40/1 | 33/1 | 35/1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 40/1 | 33/1 | 45/1 |
| Jason Day | 40/1 | 33/1 | 45/1 |
| Daniel Berger | 40/1 | 40/1 | 30/1 |
| Viktor Hovland | 40/1 | 40/1 | 45/1 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | 45/1 | 40/1 | 55/1 |
| Patrick Reed | 45/1 | 40/1 | 50/1 |
| Justin Rose | 50/1 | 50/1 | 75/1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 50/1 | 50/1 | 70/1 |
| Tony Finau | 50/1 | 40/1 | 45/1 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 50/1 | 40/1 | 50/1 |
| Gary Woodland | 50/1 | 45/1 | 50/1 |
| Adam Scott | 50/1 | 50/1 | 70/1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 66/1 | 66/1 | 70/1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 66/1 | 80/1 | 90/1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 8/1 | 80/1 | 90/1 |
| Bubba Watson | 100/1 | 100/1 | 125/1 |
How will that affect the golfers this week? They’ve played several PGA Tour events without fans and have, apparently, made the adjustment. Justin Thomas is the favorite at 9/1, with Brooks Koepka right behind at 10/1.
We take a look at some of the golfers that should do well at the PGA Championship, and others it would be best to avoid.
Golfers to Consider
Justin Thomas (9/1)
Thomas definitely has some serious momentum coming into the PGA Championship. He won last week’s World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, earning the top prize and the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Thomas said he has to move on from last week’s victory, though, and concentrate on this event.
“This is a new week,†Thomas said. “We have a new field, new guys that are out here, all trying hard, trying to win a tournament, trying to win a major, and I’m trying to do the same thing.â€
Brooks Koepka (10/1)
Koepka is trying to make history by winning the same major three times in a row. That feat has only been performed by six golfers since 1868. Koepka’s season appeared in doubt late last year when he re-injured his knee.
The 12-week PGA Tour suspension probably benefited Koepka, giving him time to rest.
“My game feels like it’s in really, really good shape right now,†Koepka said. “I like the way I’m hitting it, and feels — putting it really, really well. Every day is a lot more comfortable.â€
Xander Schauffele (18/1)
Every year, there seems to be someone who hasn’t won a major who ends up challenging for the lead at this event. This year, we think it will be Schauffele. He has four top 20s this year, and finished tied for sixth last week against similar competition.
At 18/1, he would be a nice payday, and worth taking a chance on.
Golfers to Avoid
Bryson DeChambeau (15/1)
DeChambeau made a splash on the PGA Tour this year when he came back from the break packing 40 pounds of muscle. As a result, he is the tour’s leader in driving distance average. He also won the Rocket Mortgage Classic in July.
But his highest finish in a major is a tie for 15th at the 2016 US Open, and he’s missed the cut at the last two PGA Championships. There are better choices this week.
Jon Rahm (15/1)
The Spaniard was No. 1 after winning the Memorial Tournament, and then went out and laid an egg at the St. Jude Invitational, finishing tied for 52nd.
He has a habit of disappearing when you think he’ll do well. This might be another example of that.