PGA Championship 2015: Latest Expectations for Golf's Top Favorites and Sleepers
The PGA Championship makes its long-awaited return to Whistling Straits this weekend, where the red-hot Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and the rest of golf's best will compete for the Wanamaker Trophy.
While it's hard to believe the season already sits at its final major, there isn't a better way to cap off the year. Most years, this tournament seems to produce unexpected winners thanks to the rotating schedule and the effects of a grueling season on the players.
Bettors know the drill—this makes for a great environment to add to winnings or make up for lost assets on the ride here. Below, let's take a look at some of the top odds, courtesy of Odds Shark.
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2015 PGA Championship Odds
| Jordan Spieth | 11-2 |
| Rory McIlroy | 9-1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 12-1 |
| Jason Day | 14-1 |
| Bubba Watson | 14-1 |
| Justin Rose | 18-1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 20-1 |
| Adam Scott | 22-1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 25-1 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | 33-1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 40-1 |
Expectations for Top Favorites and Sleepers
Sleeper: Louis Oosthuizen (33-1)
While Louis Oosthuizen is far from the biggest name, now would be the time for bettors to give him more attention.
Oosthuizen represents a great payout, and he's been on fire this year when it comes to the big tournaments. Sure, he just finished tied for 42nd at the Bridgestone Invitational, but he posted a second-place finish at The Open Championship and tied for second at the U.S. Open.
As the European Tour pointed out, he's hot at big tournaments:
Perhaps best of all, Oosthuizen posted his best performance at this tournament last year, tying for 15th.
Oosthuizen gets it done in various ways and has shown this year he can play with the big boys each tournament. He's one of the players inching toward "due" status and isn't a bad roll if a bettor wants to look for value. Look for him to improve upon his personal best.
Prediction: Oosthuizen finishes in the top 10.
Favorite: Jordan Spieth (11-2)
Look, do bettors want to go against Spieth again just because of an iffy payout?
The right answer is no. A Grand Slam isn't on the table anymore thanks to a tie for fourth at The Open Championship, but that's no reason to push the Masters and the U.S. Open from your mind.
As Spieth himself admitted to Brad Townsend of the Dallas News, he's on a roll: "Then maybe they have an off week, and then they bring it back. We seem to have nice timing with where we're trending upwards this year. Whether that's the plan we put in place or it's dumb luck, one of the two, I'll take it."
While Spieth has missed the cut his last two times out at this tournament, it's not a great measurement to count against him considering his mostly iffy performances at other majors before this year.
History hasn't stopped him from ranking second in tee-to-green strokes gained (1.628), seventh in putting strokes gained (.600), second in total strokes gained (2.258), first in birdie average (4.58) and first in scoring average (68.795), per PGATour.com.
With McIlroy rusty as he makes his way back from injury and Spieth yet to falter in form, look for the latter to post another strong finish.
Prediction: Spieth finishes in the top three.
Sleeper: Martin Kaymer (40-1)
Here's the thing with a rotating tournament: Bettors can do a little leg work and find a great value.
So it goes with Martin Kaymer, who won this very tournament the last time it was at Whistling Straits, way back in 2010. Granted, he's posted three cuts and tied for 33rd since then, but the familiar course is what bettors should look at.
It helps Kaymer tied for 12th at The Open Championship after struggling at the prior two majors, showing he's back in form down the stretch. He sounds ready too:
As an added bonus, bettors might find Kaymer lost in the limelight a bit thanks to a pairing with a guy by the name of Tiger Woods. With the pressure elsewhere, he should be able to relax and tackle a familiar course.
Longtime bettors have been down this road before with Kaymer. He's due for a strong finish at a course where he's won, so expect nothing less and look for the superb payout.
Prediction: Kaymer finishes in the top five.
Stats and info courtesy of PGATour.com unless otherwise specified.
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