Upcoming Match-ups

2019 PGA Championship Odds & Picks: Tiger Woods Listed as Favorite

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in Golf

Updated Apr 13, 2020 · 9:05 AM PDT

Tiger Woods swing
Tiger Woods will be teeing it up at the 101st PGA Championship in search of his second straight major. Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) [CC License]
  • The PGA Championship tees off Thursday May 16th
  • Can Tiger Woods complete the first two legs of the grand slam?
  • We’ve narrowed down the golfers with the best chance of emerging victorious

The second major championship of the season is upon us with the PGA Championship moving to May from its customary August slot on the calendar as part of the new PGA Tour schedule.

Tiger Woods will be playing in his first event since his epic Masters title and he returns to Bethpage Black with average PGA Championship odds of +730. Woods has seen success on the course with his 2002 U.S. Open title, but a slew of other big name golfers are hot on his heels.

2019 PGA Championship Odds

Golfer Odds 1 Odds 2
Tiger Woods +700 +750
Dustin Johnson +900 +900
Brooks Koepka +1000 +1000
Rory McIlroy +1000 +1200
Justin Thomas +1200 +1400
Justin Rose +1600 +1800
Francesco Molinari +1600 +2000
Jon Rahm +1800 +2000
Rickie Fowler +2000 +2000
Bryson Dechambeau +2000 +2000
Jason Day +2500 +2000
Xander Schauffele +2500 +2800
Tommy Fleetwood +2800 +2500
Jordan Spieth +3300 +2500
Patrick Reed +3300 +3300

*Odds taken 05/13/19. Follow the link in the table above to see all betting options.

Tiger Woods Targets Jack Nicklaus’ Major Record

After proving to himself and the world that he can still win major championships, Woods returns to the scene of his U.S. Open title 17 years ago, the brutally punishing Bethpage Black Golf Course.

He’s been in hibernation since winning at Augusta, so can Woods pick up right where he left off?

This isn’t the first time in his career that Tiger has elected not to tee it up between majors – though it is rare, as it’ll be just the fifth time he’s decided to do it. It shouldn’t come as a huge shock that the Big Cat has had success using this model before.

Tiger Woods’ Results With No Starts Between Majors

Tournament Result
1999 Open Championship/PGA Championship WIN
2006 Masters/U.S. Open Missed Cut
2008 Masters/U.S. Open WIN
2013 U.S. Open/Open Championship T-6th

In 2008 he was dealing with the failing health of his father. Why can’t Tiger dust off the cobwebs and compete again?

There’s nothing to suggest he won’t, and despite him having low +700 odds to win, expect Tiger to be in the hunt down the stretch.

Rory McIlroy Strong Choice to Win 3rd PGA Championship

It’s quite remarkable that Rory McIlroy seemingly is flying under the radar entering the PGA given that he’s won the event twice (2012, 2014), has the Players Championship trophy on his mantle this season, and has been playing inspired golf all year long.

At +1200, the Northern Irishman has decent odds to wager on.

He’s first in strokes gained tee to green and total strokes gained, which will be crucial at the penal Bethpage Black track.

Rory McIlroy’s 2019 Results

Tournament Result
Wells Fargo Championship T-8th
Masters Tournament T-21st
WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play T-9th
The Players Championship WON
Arnold Palmer Invitational T-6th
WGC-Mexico Championship 2nd
Genesis Open T-4th
Farmers Insurance Open T-5th
Sentry Tournament of Champions T-4th

Francesco Molinari to Continue Major Tear

Francesco Molinari has racked up four top-10’s in his last six major starts, a stretch beginning with a runner-up finish at the 2017 PGA Championship. All he’s done in the majors since then is win the 2018 Open Championship, nearly slip into a green jacket last month and also had a sixth place showing at the PGA last year.

Expect the steady Italian to find his way to the first page of the leaderboard yet again, and his +2000 odds are very enticing.

Tony Finau Poised to Break Through on Grand Stage

It’s remarkably criminal that Tony Finau has just one PGA Tour victory. He’s been dynamite in the biggest events, registering four top 10’s in his last five attempts.

Tony Finau’s Last Five Majors

Tournament Result
2019 Masters T-5th
2018 PGA Championship T-42nd
2018 Open Championship T-9th
2018 U.S. Open 5th
2018 Masters T-10th

He was in the thick of it down the stretch at Augusta last month and piques for the majors. His length off the tee could be the deciding factor as he’s sixth in distance this season and at +3300, you’re getting great value.

Let’s hope he won’t celebrate too hard if he wins like his famous blunder at the 2018 Masters.

Last 5 PGA Championship Winners

Year Winner
2018 Brooks Koepka
2017 Justin Thomas
2016 Jimmy Walker
2015 Jason Day
2014 Rory McIlroy

2019 PGA Championship Best Value Picks

  1. Bubba Watson (+5000): Course sets up beautifully for the bomber. Third in strokes gained off the tee this season. Two solid showings at this venue, with T-13 at 2016 Barclays & T-18 at 2009 U.S. Open. Coming off a decent T-12 at the Masters.
  2. Adam Scott (+5000): Third at the PGA last year. T-4th at Bethpage Black in 2016. 15th in strokes gained this season. Despite the narrative that his putting isn’t up to snuff, actually ranks 15th in strokes gained putting as well.
  3. Kevin Kisner (+8000): This year’s WGC-Match Play winner has been strong in last three PGA’s (T-12, T-7, T-18) including 54 hole lead at 2017 edition. Finished runner-up in 2018 Open. Coming off a top-5 in last tournament and hasn’t missed a cut in 13 events since not making it to the weekend in the season opener.
Author Image