2020 PGA Championship Tournament Matchup Odds and Picks

• The PGA Tour gears up for the first major of the season at TPC Harding Park for the PGA Championship from August 6th-9th
• Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry, and Rory McIlroy are some of our favorite picks in their matchups this week in California
• Read below to see all tournament matchups available for the 2020 PGA Championship

The first major is upon us in San Francisco, California this week as the PGA Championship takes place at the difficult TPC Harding Park. This major was originally set to be played in May, however, due to COVID-19, it finds its original place in the PGA Tour’s calendar in August.

Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas lead the field as co-favorites heading into TPC Harding Park this week. Thomas is coming off a big win at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, where Koepka finished second and just three shots back.

I was a perfect 3-for-3 last week for my matchup plays at the St Jude – Justin Thomas to beat the short term #1 in the world, Jon Rahm, was my favorite pick in Memphis. However, Thomas won’t be in the cards this week as we take a look at my three favorite matchup plays of the week.

2020 PGA Championship Tournament Matchup Odds

All odds taken August 5th

Koepka Is on Another Level at Majors

Koepka is a no-brainer bet at majors, it’s as simple as that. I know he is matched up against Eldrick this week which is daunting, however, his resume is too good to pass on.

The 30-year-old has four wins in his last 10 majors, and that also includes a runner-up finish to Tiger Woods at the Masters and Gary Woodland at the US Open.

Q. Brooks, you've always been one of the more confident guys going into majors. With the recent struggles, do you still carry that mindset?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I'm defending, aren't I?

Q. Yeah.

BROOKS KOEPKA: Okay. Just checking.

Alrighty then…

— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) July 29, 2020

Defending his back-to-back PGA Championship victories this week, Koepka has been starting to come around the corner. At TPC Southwind last week, he was third in driving distance, first in GIR, and first in Strokes Gained: Approach. Everything is starting to line up for Brooksie, which is scary for the rest of the field heading into a major.

Woods barely made the cut at the Memorial and ended up shooting 71-76 on the weekend. This is his only second event since the restart and I don’t believe he has it all together just yet. The value isn’t great picking Koepka in this matchup, but unless Woods finishes Top 5 it’s a lock.

Pick: Brooks Koepka (-167)

Battle of the Europeans

Shane Lowry and Justin Rose are both solid plays this week. With the expected European temperatures, any Open Champion or avid links golfer has a good chance this week.

Lowry played stellar last week in Memphis finishing tied-sixth as he shot 9-under par for the week. As a great long iron player and terrific scrambler Lowry has a great chance to go low at TPC Harding Park.

Lowry won his first major of his career in his home country of Ireland last summer. Moreover, Lowry has faired quite well in majors – especially the PGA Championship.

The Irishman finished 12th at the 2018 PGA and eighth last year at Bethpage Black. Lowry also finished ninth at the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in the last major on the west coast. All this leads me to believe Lowry plays well at courses like TPC Harding Park.

Rose isn’t playing particularly well heading into this major, although this course does suit his style of play. That being said, I am rolling with Lowry to beat Rose this week in California. Lowry’s major resume and recent play will be the difference-maker.

Pick: Shane Lowry (-112)

McIlroy Could Have a Sneaky Good Week

The Northern Irishman is always a reliable play at majors. McIlroy is familiar with the hardware of the PGA Championship winning in 2012 and 2014.

The four-time major winner is also quite familiar with TPC Harding Park. The last PGA Tour event held here was the 2015 WGC Cadillac Match Play, which McIlroy won.

🌲🌲 The risky play. 🌲🌲@McIlroyRory saved par from here during the 2017 PGA Championship.pic.twitter.com/JU4yL4IUzc

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 4, 2020

Rory’s magic is enhanced in majors and he has a lot of experience in difficult weather. Patrick Cantlay, on the other hand, has proven himself on long golf courses like Muirfield Village. A difficult golf course nonetheless, but nothing like TPC Harding Park where preparation and experience exceed length and ball striking to a certain degree.

McIlroy doesn’t have tremendous value against Cantlay, but he’s due for at least a Top 10 and he’s always in the mix at majors. Go with Rory.

Pick: Rory McIlroy (-137)