Now the second of four majors on the PGA Tour calendar, it draws a lot of hype as a significant event for several of golf’s best while serving as the bridge between the Masters and the U.S. Open. Traditionally played in early-to-mid August as the last major on the schedule, the PGA has moved to an earlier point in the calendar starting this year.
Following the Masters as the next major on the calendar helps boost some storylines surrounding the tournament. Of course, the resurgent Tiger Woods is looking to make it two major victories in a row tops the list, but it’s far from the only bit of intrigue in the 2019 field.
Perennial challengers Dustin Johnson and two-time PGA champion Rory McIlroy are the favorites to take down Woods, along with reigning winner Brooks Koepka, who has a knack for doing damage in majors. He has also won consecutive U.S. Opens and was right in the thick of things during the 2019 Masters.
All of the big names mean there are plenty of routes to take when the time comes to bet on the PGA Championship. Here is a look from all angles, including favorites, sleepers, Woods prop bets and a list of past champions.
Who will win the PGA Championship in 2019?
The convenient pick would be Woods, who has won the PGA Championship four times and is most notably coming off his historic Masters victory. Although Woods has won before at Bethpage Black, he doesn’t have the same familiarity with the course as he does with Augusta National, so that aspect won’t work in his favor as much.
Another loaded field really does make it anyone’s tournament — well, probably not Vijay Singh’s. You have to like Koepka’s chances, just because of how well he has fared in majors the last few years. While veterans Johnson, McIlroy and Justin Rose are atop the World Golf Rankings, it’s important to also keep an eye on some surging youngsters: Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and Tommy Fleetwood.
PGA Championship betting odds
Johnson’s 10/1 odds make him the favorite at Bethpage, but Koepka, McIlroy and Woods aren’t far behind at 11/1. Rickie Fowler rounds out the top five with 18/1 odds.
Some big names a little lower down the list include 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed and 2005 PGA Championship winner Phil Mickelson, who are both at 66/1, as well as 2019 Masters contender Ian Poulter (80/1).
There are several prop bets, including odds of a top five finish, which is led by Koepka, Johnson, McIlroy and Woods (9/4). Johnson (Even) is the favorite to end up in the top 10, while Johnson, Koepka, McIlroy, Woods, Jon Rahm, Rose and Fowler all have negative odds to finish in the top 20.
Sporting News contributor Bennett Bedford has a primer covering every aspect of betting on the PGA Tournament, including the best DFS bets and outright picks.
PGA Championship sleeper picks
A few of Bedford’s best DFS value picks include Jonathan Vegas, Adam Hadwin, Scott Piercy and Kyle Stanley. Matt Kuchar and Sergio Garcia are among those with mid-tier value. He also highlights Stanley and Bubba Watson as outright sleepers to consider.
Here is a full list of odds for the 2019 PGA Championship (via Bovada).
Tiger Woods prop bets
While the Woods props aren’t as extensive as they were for the Masters, there is still a bevy of options to choose from. Most focus on his odds against other members of the field, but you can also bet on whether he will make the cut and where he will finish on the leaderboard.
(Props via Bovada)
List of PGA Championship winners by year
From 1916 to 1957, the PGA Championship was a match play event, with stroke play permanently taking over as the format in 1958. Jack Nicklaus’ five stroke play tournament wins give him the most of any golfer, but Woods will have a chance to match him this year.