Fresh off the back of a long-awaited return to the winners’ circle, former world No 1 Rory McIlroy is a strong favourite to come out on top at the PGA Championship. ANDRE HUISAMEN takes a look at the favourable odds for this week.
Tournament odds at William Hill Sportsbook
Rory McIlroy (11/1)
Victory at the Wells Fargo Championship a fortnight ago came at an important time in the Northern Irishman’s attempt to return to form. After 18 winless months, McIlroy managed to stand tall throughout a testing final round to secure his 19th PGA Tour title.
A two-time PGA Championship winner, McIlroy is well poised to be one of the main figures, if not the most important one, in Kiawah Island this week. His experience in battling a difficult layout like Ocean Course will be instrumental across the four rounds.
Justin Thomas (14/1)
JT will move to the top of the Official World Golf Rankings should he win his second Major this week. The American is highly favoured to be floating around the top of the leaderboard but a true test of character awaits him.
It’s been a good year so far for the 28-year-old, especially in the USA. His accuracy will be highly beneficial in his stroke-play around the course.
Jon Rahm (14/1)
It’s been a busy few weeks for Rahm since he became a father and played the Masters – all in the same week last month. Still without a Major to his name, the Spaniard’s confidence will be critical in breaking the duck in South Carolina.
Rahm is a dangerous opponent in any field but, with the stakes as high as a PGA Championship, expect him to deliver on such favourable odds.
Jordan Spieth (16/1)
The return of Spieth continues at the PGA Championship this week where the opportunity of completing a career Grand Slam beckons for the American. After all his early success and the disastrous fall in form over the past two years, Spieth is still only 27 years old and knocking on the door of history.
A T3 at the April Masters and a top-10 finish at last week’s AT&T Byron Nelson places Spieth neatly to come out on top over the coming weekend.
Bryson DeChambeau (16/1)
Once again, DeChambeau’s big-hitting approach will be tested in Major-like conditions. The course should be a daunting task for DeChambeau but, after overcoming the Winged Foot obstacle at last year’s US Open, no challenge will be too much for the American.
Also in a good run of form so far this year, DeChambeau will look to power his way to victory in Kiawah Island.
Dustin Johnson (18/1)
It’s been a somewhat quiet year so far for the 2020 Masters champion and current world No 1. Slight niggles have not helped his cause of reigning supreme again since that victory at Augusta. One top-10 finish so far this year is all Johnson has to show for his efforts, which took a dip in pre-tournament predictions.
His talent and ability, though, should not be undervalued ahead of such a big tournament as he is more than capable of blowing the rest of the field away.
