2020 PGA Championship Round 2 Odds and Betting Preview

• Jason Day and Brendan Todd (-5) hold the lead after the first round at the 102nd PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park
• Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele are just one back of the lead in California and are atop the odds board
• See updated live odds at TPC Harding Park for Friday’s Round 2 at the 2020 PGA Championship

After 18 holes of the first major of the 2020 season, Jason Day and Brendon Todd hold the lead at -5. The Australian fired off a bogey-free 65, while Todd’s putter led him to seven birdies on his card.

On Wednesday’s pre-tournament PGA Championship odds, Day was +4000 and Todd was +11000 to win in San Francisco. After three top 10 finishes in a row, Day has put himself in a great position to win his second PGA Championship.

Although Day and Todd have the lead after round one, they have a couple of big names nipping at their heels. Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, and Xander Schauffele all finished 4-under par and just one shot back at TPC Harding Park.

Live PGA Championship Odds

Odds taken August 7th

Easier Weather Than Anticipated

A lot of individuals believed the weather would be a tipping point for some golfers. A tough European style golf course where winds could pick up is a test for any non-links style golfer.

To everyone’s surprise, the weather was very pleasant. It was very favorable for the players (especially in the morning wave) and some guys took advantage of the tricky parts of the golf course.

Perfect conditions at TPC Harding Park to start the first round of the PGA Championship. Unlike The beginning of the week with 20 mph winds, flags are hanging limp to start the day. https://t.co/Gu5rTQ58Xf

— Michael Collins (@ESPNCaddie) August 6, 2020

Zach Johnson fired off an opening nine 31 in the easier conditions, as he sits tied third at 4-under par after the first round. Johnson is +8000 to win the tournament after his solid first round, but I wouldn’t risk a wager on him if the weather gets any worse.

Regardless of the weather, some top golfers struggled on Thursday. Rickie Fowler is at risk of missing the cut after a colorful 3-over par 73. Major winners, Jordan Spieth and Sergio Garcia, also had a tough outing on Thursday matching Fowler’s 73.

Johnson/Rose/Spieth 2nd Round Matchup Play Odds

This is a really interesting matchup group considering their scores all vary. Rose led the group with a 4-under par 66, while Johnson carded a 1-under 69 after finishing with two bogeys in his last three holes.

Spieth would be a logical pick to win the second round after shooting 73, however, I am looking at the big bomber in this group instead.

Very up and down round one for Irmo's Dustin Johnson

4 birdies, 3 bogies… he's in the clubhouse with a -1 (69). #PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/j2F9d7meS5

— Mike Gillespie (@MikeAGillespie) August 6, 2020

Johnson was tied-sixth in driving distance after the first round at TPC Harding Park averaging 311.5 yards per drive. If Johnson can scramble and putt a little bit better than he did on Thursday he should have no problem going low in his second round.

I feel like after a solid round for Rose he will bottom out and shoot around even or 1-under par. Johnson has a better chance at the lower number because of his ball-striking and distance.

Pick: Dustin Johnson (+145)

Valuable Outright Winners

After round one, Brooks Koepka is still the favorite at +480 even though he is one shot behind the leaders. Koepka doesn’t have eye-popping value anymore, so in terms of picking a winner, I would look somewhere else.

Strokes Gained: Around the Green

Brian Harman (3.527)
Bud Cauley (3.391)
Hideki Matsuyama (2.344)
Bernd Wiesberger (2.266)
Sebastián Muñoz (1.903)
Alex Noren (1.824)
Brendan Steele (1.750)
Cameron Champ (1.728)
Patrick Cantlay (1.642)
Viktor Hovland (1.572)#PGAChamp #PGATour

— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) August 7, 2020

Ball striking is obviously very important for every golfer’s first round because it sets the tone for your swing. However, being able to scramble and chip well is even more valuable. A good short game gives confidence to your long game because you have something to rely on if a shot misses the mark.

Brendan Steele and Viktor Hovland are two guys I will be keeping a close eye on after round one. Steele finished seventh in Strokes Gained: Around the Green in his first round, while Hovland finished 10th.

https://twitter.com/HovlandTracker/status/1291519083469389824

Hovland was dialled in with his approach shots on Thursday. This is no surprise as the Norwegian is sixth in Strokes Gained: Approach this season. Hovland finished third a couple of weeks ago at the Workday Charity Open and it seems like he will be able to stay in the mix this week as well.

Steele has had two Top 15’s in his last four starts and with a great opening round, he could be in for another good week. At +6500, Steele has great value to win. The 37-year-old will have to keep focus on his tight approach shots and keeping his driver down the middle to contend with the field’s best this week.

Pick: Viktor Hovland Outright Winner (+5000)

Pick: Brendan Steele Outright Winner (+6500)