PGA Championship 2023: Predictions for Top Prize Money Before Opening Round
The 2023 PGA Championship is set to begin Thursday morning, and there are several interesting storylines to follow during the second major of the year.
Fresh off a win at The Masters, Jon Rahm is looking to win his second major in a row, a feat last accomplished by Jordan Spieth in 2015. Defending champion Justin Thomas, meanwhile, is looking to join an impressive list of repeat winners.
Phil Mickelson won his second PGA Championship in 2021, and Brooks Koepka won it in both 2018 and 2019.
Rory McIlroy, who won in 2012 and 2014, will also be looking to rebound after missing the cut at the Players Championship and The Masters.
Everyone in the field will be vying for a share of the $15 million prize pool, of which $2.7 million will go to the winner. Below, you'll find predictions for three golfers we expect to be in the money this weekend, along with all of the scheduling information you need for the 2023 PGA Championship.
2023 PGA Championship
1 of 4
Scheduling Information
When: May 18-21
Where: Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York
TV: ESPN (Rounds 1 & 2), CBS (Rounds 3 & 4)
Live Stream: ESPN+ (All Rounds), Paramount+ (Rounds 3 & 4)
Prize Payout
1st Place: $2.7 million
2nd Place: $1.62 million
3rd Place: $1.02 million
4th Place: $720,000
5th Place: $600,000
Early Favorites
Scottie Scheffler 7-1
Jon Rahm 8-1
Rory McIlroy 16-1
Patrick Cantlay 16-1
Xander Schauffele 18-1
Brooks Koepka 22-1
Tony Finau 22-1
Jason Day 28-1
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and accurate as of Wednesday
Scottie Scheffler
2 of 4
Scottie Scheffler has emerged as an early favorite, and it's not difficult to see why. He won both the Players Championship and the Phoenix Open and hasn't finished outside of the top 12 (or tied) since the CJ Cup in October.
According to Justin Ray of PGATour.com, Scheffler leads the Tour in both strokes gained from the tee and greens in regulation. He also ranks second behind Rahm in bogeys per round (3.03) in majors since 2020.
In other words, Scheffler is both playing at a high level and doing it perhaps more consistently, from hole to hole, than anyone else in the sport right now. That consistency could easily lead Scheffler to outplay top golfers like Rahm over the four-day tournament.
"There's nothing to dislike about Rahm; I expect him to be a factor all the way until the end, but I think it's Scheffler's turn this week," Greg Vara of RotoWire wrote in a piece for Sports Illustrated.
Expect Scheffler to be in the hunt on Day 4 and to be a fairly safe pick to finish in the top five—a bet that carries odds of +165 (bet $100 to win $165).
Jon Rahm
3 of 4
While Scheffler might be the most consistent golfer on the Tour right now, Rahm might be the hottest. He won The Masters, claimed second at the Mexico Open and is one spot ahead of Scheffler atop the World Golf Rankings.
In most major statistical categories that Scheffler doesn't lead, Rahm does. He's had the fewest bogeys per round in majors since 2020 (3.0), and this year, he ranks first in total strokes gained and first in scoring average.
Rahm hasn't been quite as consistent as Scheffler this year—he finished outside of the top 12 in at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the RBC Heritage, plus withdrew from the Player Championship—but does have four top-five finishes in his last seven events.
"Obviously, [the career Grand Slam] would be amazing," Rahm said. "But the more you put yourself in the position to be able to win majors, the more likely you might be to get it done."
It would be a surprise if Rahm doesn't finish in the big money, and his -115 odds (bet $115 to win $100) to finish in the top 10 reflect this.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Patrick Cantlay
4 of 4
With four top-five finishes in his last eight tournaments, Patrick Cantlay isn't a true sleeper. However, he hasn't won yet this year and is still searching for his first career major win. He has longer odds to win and favorable +180 odds to finish in the top 10.
Cantlay has two top-four finishes in his last three tournaments and recently hired Tiger Wood's longtime caddie, Joe LaCava. The Athletic's Dennis Esser believes the change could give Cantlay an edge this weekend.
"He is much longer off the tee this year than years prior, and his iron play has been excellent," Esser wrote. "He hasn't won this year but has five top-four finishes. With Joe LaCava now on his bag, he may break out."
Cantlay hasn't fared well in majors, with an eight-place tie at last year's Open Championship being his only top-10 finish in his last 12 starts. However, The Athletic's Brendan Quinn believes Cantlay's fortunes could change.
"He’s one of only two players to rank in the top 10 in total strokes gained on tour in each of the last five years," Quinn wrote. "The other? Jon Rahm. It makes no sense that Cantlay’s game isn’t translating to the biggest stages. Something has to give, so I’ll guess it comes this week."
Expect Cantlay to be chasing a top-10 finish on Sunday.
Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
