Jim Furyk did us proud at the British Open with a healthy each-way return at odds of 70-1. Dustin Johnson was also in the firing line at 40-1 until fading on the final day so what can we conjure up for this week’s US PGA Championship.
The 96th US PGA takes place at the dramatically named Valhalla with many scribes already prepared to hand a second major of the season to Rory McIlroy. Spain’s Sergio Garcia must be sick of the sight of McIlroy having been runner-up to him in the past two events. I am never keen on backing golfers at single figure prices unless it is a matchplay event so we must look elsewhere for some value.
A whole host of big names played well at The Bridgestone Invitational including Keegan Bradley (T4th), Justin Rose (T4th) and Rickie Fowler. Other significant contributions came from Graeme McDowell, Ryan Moore and Mark Leishman while Phil Mickelson (62) and Lee Westwood (63) ended the tournament in style.
The PGA has often produced an unexpected winner but Keegan Bradley hardly fits into that category these days. He won this event in 2011 and has since finished third and nineteenth. He has also produced good efforts at this year’s US Open and made the top twenty at the British Open.
The American challenge is likely to be strong with Furyk (top twenty in last four majors) and Fowler (top twenty in last three majors) also capable of featuring strongly this week. Unfortunately the bookmakers agree and they are both at much shorter odds than they were for Royal Liverpool. Furyk led by one going into the final round last year but was beaten by Jason Dufner. We could worse than invest some of our Open winnings at 40-1.
Lee Westwood has been poor this season and he has missed the cut in the last two majors. I cannot quite be convinced by a single round of 63. Instead, I am going to put up Graeme McDowell who has been in the top 15 in three of the last five PGA championships. He also played well last week and looks better each-way value.
Adam Scott could easily regain the world number one spot this week but that is reflected in his price and I’d sooner take a chance on his countryman Marc Leishman. He finished third at Bridgestone following a fine fifth place at the British Open and should give us a run for our money.
Keegan Bradley @33-1 Boylesports
Graeme McDowell @40-1 BetVictor
Jim Furyk @40-1 888Sport
Marc Leishman @50-1 Bet365
¼ odds, 1,2,3,4,5
