PGA Championship 2014 Favorites: Updated Vegas Odds for Golf's Elite Talent
The fourth and final major of the season for men’s golf is the 2014 PGA Championship starting Thursday, August 7, from Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
Those fans looking to make a wager on the action this weekend will be trying to find the favorites with the best chance at stealing the show and walking away with the championship.
Here is a full breakdown of the odds for the top competitors and the safest bet of the week.
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| Rory McIlroy | 5-1 |
| Adam Scott | 12-1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 14-1 |
| Justin Rose | 16-1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 20-1 |
| Martin Kaymer | 22-1 |
| Bubba Watson | 25-1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 25-1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 25-1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 25-1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 28-1 |
| Tiger Woods | 28-1 |
| Jason Day | 33-1 |
| Jason Dufner | 33-1 |
| Jim Furyk | 33-1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 40-1 |
| Charl Schwartzel | 40-1 |
| Graeme McDowell | 40-1 |
| Keegan Bradley | 40-1 |
| Lee Westwood | 40-1 |
| Luke Donald | 40-1 |
| Marc Leishman | 40-1 |
| Zach Johnson | 40-1 |
*Odds via OddsChecker.com.
Safest Bet of the Week: Rory McIlroy (5-1 Odds)
The safest bet of the 2014 PGA Championship is Rory McIlroy at 5-1 odds.
Unless they have been living under a rock, golf fans understand just how much momentum McIlroy is carrying into this week’s major tournament. Not only did he win the 2014 British Open, but he followed it up last week with a victory at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational.
The official Twitter of the PGA Tour shared McIlroy’s recent dominance:
As McIlroy sits atop the world standings entering the PGA Championship, he will have to channel the success he found at the event in 2012 when he dominated the final major of the year and took home the trophy. The Irish-born player will look to repeat his feat in 2014.
When asked about his thoughts on winning the Bridgestone Invitational and the mental toughness it required, McIlroy told BBC.com about his play and what it took to win:
"It was the most comfortable I've ever felt trying to close out a golf tournament out there [on Sunday]. I felt normal. I felt like it was the first round or the second round. It didn't feel like a fourth round.
When I say mentally it's the best I've ever been, I didn't get ahead of myself. I didn't start to think about my score. I didn't think about where I was in the tournament, I just kept playing my shot after shot after shot.
"
McIlroy’s success begins with his driver. While he is not one of the biggest men on tour at 5'9", his average drive of 310.3 yards is third-best and a major reason he has been so good over the last several months.
Add in his elite iron play, his ability to putt well from any distance (he’s ranked 19th on tour in total putting) and the mental toughness he has shown to overcome his second-round blues, and McIlroy has all the elements of his game working well at the same time.
The recent success should be enough to have gamblers running to the window to lay down a bet on McIlroy, and his history at the tournament only helps convince those on the fence that this is a good idea. He has played in the event each of the last five years, finishing in the top 10 four times and winning once.
If you’re looking to make a wager, McIlroy is the safest bet.
Predicted Finish: Winner of the 2014 PGA Championship
*Stats via PGATour.com.
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