US PGA tips: Johnson and McIlroy favourites to win at Bellerive
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The final major of 2018 takes place this weekend, and this year’s US PGA Championship has more riding on it than usual.
The prospect of next month’s 2018 Ryder Cup has added extra oomph for the next four days at the Bellerive Country Club, Missouri.
Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka and Francesco Molinari have won this season’s three majors. But the odds suggest looking towards more familiar territory this time around…
The favourites
Dustin Johnson sits comfortably at the top of the betting at 8/1. DJ has frequently shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, but just hasn’t hooked it up over the full four days in the majors.
Nevertheless, remove his missed cut at the Open and Johnson’s last four results read 1,3,1,T3. He’s favourite for a reason.
Next up is Rory McIlroy at 12/1, and there’s a strong vibe that the Northern Irishman is rediscovering his best golf.
McIlroy won the US PGA in 2012 and 2014, the latter proving his most recent major success to date.
It’s a long drought for a player of Rory’s standing, but he was a contender at this year’s Masters and the Open, plus he was right in the mix last time out at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational.
It’s hard to look beyond the leading duo, but Justin Thomas is third favourite at 14/1.
The 25-year-old reigning champion had a blinding start to the year, but went off the boil a touch during the spring and early summer.
He roared back into contention however with an excellent display at the Bridgestone Invitational last week and may have hit form at the ideal time.
The ones to watch
It’s a touch surprising to see Jordan Spieth out at 25/1, but the American just hasn’t clicked this year.
The Texan was third at Augusta and T9 at the Open, but despite flashes of that 2015 form, something appears to be missing from the 25-year-old’s game right now.
Open champion Francesco Molinari is 33/1. The Italian was a steady 39th at the WGC Bridgestone, after going 1,2,1 in his three previous tournaments.
And we mustn’t forget Tiger Woods at 33/1 either. The American is enjoying his best spell since back surgeries, posting a T4 at the Quicken Loans, a fine T6 at the Open and a solid T31 at the Bridgestone Invitational.
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All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
