Mickelson getting in position to strike in USPGA Championship
Published:A host of unknown names may find themselves at the head of the leaderboard after two rounds of the USPGA Championship, but sticking by those proven at major level could still prove the best strategy ahead of the final two days.
Steve Stricker remains favourite in the USPGA Championship betting at 7/1, despite following up on his sparkling opening 63 with a second round 74.
However, Stricker is still only two shots off the pace, with Jason Dufner and Keegan Bradley leading the way.
American major winners have been in short supply of late, but eight currently occupy places in the top ten of the leaderboard.
Phil Mickelson is not one of these, but looks reasonable value in the USPGA Championship odds at 25/1.
Mickelson was the last American major winner at the Masters last year and is well in contention being just six shots off the pace.
The left-hander would have been even closer if not finding the water on the final hole of his second round, which resulted in a double bogey or if some putts drops rather than catching the edge of the cup.
Mickelson is proven in the majors with four victories and a victory in the USPGA Championship is something that has eluded him to date.
Lee Westwood is certainly deserving of a major victory, having finished in the top three five times in his last eight major appearances.
This consistency is again being shown at Atlanta Athletic Club as he is four shots of the pace without doing anything spectacular and is 8/1 to secure victory.
Other decent betting opportunities on the final major of the year include last week’s WGC Bridgestone Invitational winner Adam Scott, who is also 8/1 having shot under-par in both of his opening two rounds.
And Nick Watney is 40/1 to triumph, even though he has already won twice on the PGA Tour this year at difficult venues.
