PGA Championship 2015 Odds: Predictions for Top Favorites at Whistling Straits
Is Jordan Spieth going to win three majors out of four? Can Rory McIlroy forget about his ankle injury and get back to his best form? Will Bubba Watson put his power game on display and find a way to pull past the field?
The world's best golfers will answer these questions at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin for the 2015 PGA Championship. The last of this year's major championships could be the most intriguing because of the challenging nature of the golf course—with 1,012 bunkers—and the talent and the depth in the field.
Let's take a look at the six golfers with odds of +1,800 or better, according to Odds Shark, and assess their chances of bringing home the Wanamaker Trophy.
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| Golfer | Odds | Predicted Finish | Skinny |
| Jordan Spieth | +550 | Champion | Comes through down the stretch |
| Rory McIlroy | +900 | 11th-15th | Third and fourth rounds will be a struggle. |
| Dustin Johnson | +1,200 | 4th place | Not quite good enough to beat the best. |
| Jason Day | +1,400 | 2nd place | Outlasted by Spieth |
| Bubba Watson | +1,400 | 8th place | Will wow the crowd, but won't be there at the finsih |
| Justin Rose | +1,800 | 10th place | Putter could cause difficulties |
| Rickie Fowler | +2,000 | 5th place | An even better finish would not be a surprise. |
| Adam Scott | +2,200 | 6th place | Has the swing to win the title |
| Henrik Stenson | +2,500 | 16th-20th | Not at his best right now |
| Louis Oosthuizen | +3,300 | 3rd place | Beware the dark horse |
Jordan Spieth (+550)
After winning the Masters and the U.S. Open, Spieth's streak of major victories came to an end at the British Open when he played well but finished fourth. Spieth has risen up the golfing ladder with his explosive season, and he is No. 2 in the world golf rankings, behind only McIlroy.
Spieth's calm, cool approach is often recognized by commentators. "He just doesn't seem like any other 22-year-old golfer I have ever seen," is the typical comment. However, the reason Spieth has a 68.795 scoring average and ranks first in the FedEx Cup standings is his remarkably sharp tee-to-green game.
He is not a big bomber as his 292.5-yard driving average ranks 76th on tour. However, he gains 1.628 strokes tee-to-green, and that ranks second on tour. That leads to numerous birdie attempts, and Spieth is converting 4.58 per round; that's the best figure on tour.
Spieth is basically at the top of his game, and he should be in control of the leaderboard throughout the tournament. If he can get off to an early lead in the first round and build on it, it may be possible to build a significant advantage and run away from the field.
One way or another, Spieth should be able to cap off one of the greatest major runs in golf history and win his third major of the year.
Rory McIlroy (+900)
McIlroy saw his season come to an abrupt halt earlier this summer when he suffered a ruptured ankle ligament while playing a friendly game of soccer with friends. McIlroy, the No. 1-ranked player in the world, was unable to defend his British Open championship but he says he is healthy as he prepares to defend his PGA championship.
The proof will come if he can complete all four rounds and avoid the pain that would come with playing 72 holes of golf on an ankle that is less than 100 percent. The Whistling Straits course is sure to test him because there are a lot of hills and valleys and it is not an easy walk, but if McIlroy can overcome the pain and play with confidence, he can be a devastating competitor.
McIlroy has tremendous power off the tee, averaging 306.2 yards with his driver. Prior to his injury, McIlroy had won more than $4.1 million on the tour and that ranked sixth among all golfers.
McIlroy has only played in eight tour events this season, but he has two victories and six top-10 finishes. Look for McIlroy to get off to a good start and rank with the tournament leaders through 36 holes. However, his name is McIlroy and not Superman, and we expect that ankle to cause problems for him on moving day or Sunday. McIlroy will fade out of the picture by the tournament's home stretch and won't make the top 10.
Dustin Johnson (+1,200)
The PGA Tour's "Heartbreak Kid" returns to the scene of one of his most devastating losses. Johnson took a two-stroke penalty for grounding his club in a tiny bunker on the 72nd hole of the 2010 PGA Championship, and that cost him a chance to compete in a playoff with Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson.
Johnson also lost this year's U.S. Open in devastating fashion, and he faded out of the picture in the British Open after getting off to a tremendous start. Can he turn things around?
He certainly has the power to take advantage of the challenging course. Johnson is the longest hitter on the tour, averaging 319.0 yards per drive. There's certainly a lot more to his game than distance. He picks up an average of .999 strokes tee to green, and that ranks 17th on the tour.
Johnson will not go away in the PGA Championship. He will make his presence felt and should be in the top 10 on Sunday. Don't expect him to win this championship, but he should put four solid rounds together and finish no worse than fifth place.
Jason Day (+1,400)
Day is picking up a lot of support among those who like to wager on golf from bettors on both sides of the Atlantic. Day is having an excellent season as he ranks fourth in FedEx Cup points and is the fifth-ranked golfer in the world rankings.
Day has won two tournaments this season and has seven top-10 finishes. He is one of the tour's most powerful players as he averages 314.0 yards per drive, and that ranks third on the tour. He combines that with a confident putting stroke that allows him to gain .525 strokes.
Day is looking for the first major victory of his career, and it would not be a surprise to see him push Spieth hard for the championship. However, we don't expect anything more than a second-place finish for him in the PGA Championship.
Bubba Watson (+1,400)
Watson fell just short at the 2010 PGA Championship held at Whistling Straits, as he lost in a playoff to Martin Kaymer. The two-time Masters champion and third-ranked golfer in the world was excellent in that major, but he just did not have enough to beat his German rival in a three-hole playoff.
Watson is always a fan favorite, and he should be once again this time around. Watson's powerful style—he averages 315.8 yards off the tee—always draw plenty of oohs and aahs from the crowd, but he is much more than a driving machine. When he is on with his approach shots, he can dominate any golf course.
Watson gains an average of 1.869 strokes tee to green, and that ranks first on the tour. Watson should have at least two eye-opening rounds, but don't expect him to make the top five this time around.
Justin Rose (+1,800)
Rose has been remarkably consistent this year, averaging 69.971 strokes per round. He ranks seventh in FedEx Cup points and sixth in the World rankings as he gets set to take on Whistling Straits.
Rose has a win and two second-place finishes this season, and he has earned more than $4 million. Rose has a sensational all-around game, but his putting has been an issue from time to time. He often loses ground with his flat stick (his -.048 strokes gained putting ranks 128th on the tour), and that could be an issue.
Look for Rose to struggle to stay consistent in the PGA Championship, as his putter will keep him from becoming a factor on Sunday.
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