{"id":80571,"date":"2014-08-06T07:06:32","date_gmt":"2014-08-06T14:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.capperspicks.com\/blog\/?p=80571"},"modified":"2014-08-06T07:06:32","modified_gmt":"2014-08-06T14:06:32","slug":"2014-championship-betting-odds-preview-picks-6814","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capperspicks.com\/blog\/pga-golf\/2014-championship-betting-odds-preview-picks-6814\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 PGA Championship Betting Odds Preview | Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"

PGA Championship Prediction<\/h2>\n

The PGA pros head to Louisville, Kentucky this week and the Valhalla Golf Club – scene of the 2008 Ryder Cup to play the 2014 PGA Championship. . <\/p>\n

2014 PGA Championship<\/strong>
\n Location: Louisville, Kentucky, United States<\/strong>
\n Course: Valhalla GC<\/strong>
\n Date: Aug 7-10, 2014<\/strong>
\n Total Purse: US $ 10,000,000<\/strong>
\n Winner’s Share: US $ 1,800,000 (18% of total purse)<\/strong>
\n Defending Champion: Jason Dufner ($1,445,000)<\/strong>
\n Golf Odds from Bovada<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Perhaps the biggest question this week will be – will anyone come close to slowing down the scorching Rory McIlroy?<\/p>\n

Valhalla is a 7,458 yard par-71 layout, featuring three par 5s, four par 3s and 11 par 4s. Of those 11 par 4s, three are 495 yards are longer – length off the tee will be critical this week. Ball striking will get more attention than usual this week – six of the holes will measure nearly 500 yards making the driver perhaps the most important club in the bag. A good second shot and a proficient short game will also help immensely.<\/p>\n

That said there are birdies to be made at Valhalla, particularly on the par 5s. I’m looking at proximity and putting starts as always this week but current form has always played an enormous factor in previous PGA Championships – advantage Rory!<\/p>\n

So other than Mr. McIlroy who else should we keep an eye on this week? Let’s break it down.<\/p>\n

The Favorites:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rory McIlroy 5\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not much needs to be said here \u2013 the 2012 champ has been on fire with wins at the Open Championship and WGC-Bridgestone. He is the World #1 for a reason and will be very hard to knock off his perch.<\/p>\n

Adam Scott 12\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scott has the game perfectly suited for Valhalla and his present form is terrific as well – top 10s in each of his last five PGA TOUR starts including a T8 at Firestone last week and a win at Colonial. The only thing seemingly in his way is some guy from Ireland!<\/p>\n

Justin Rose 16\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is another guy playing very well at the moment – a Win, T23, and T4 in his last three PGA TOUR starts. His ball striking hasn\u2019t been all that great this year but traditionally he\u2019s been one of the best in the World in that stat. Rose has some work to do to catch Rory but he has the game to get it done.<\/p>\n

Sergio Garcia 16\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sergio, Sergio, Sergio! He has finished runner-up in each of his last three PGA TOUR starts including last week at Firestone and is proving that his closing ability definitely leaves something to be desired. He\u2019s the Spanish Jim Furyk! He wasn\u2019t great here in the Ryder Cup and finished T34 when the PGA was held here in 200 \u2013 maybe best to look elsewhere despite his present form.<\/p>\n

The Contenders:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Phil Mickelson 20\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Amazingly still hasn\u2019t recorded a top 10 this year but does have eight top 20s including a T15 last week at Firestone. He has a decent history at Valhalla and depending on his sketchy driver could surprise this week.
\n[soliloquy id=”82219″]
\nRickie Fowler 20\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fowler has finished top five in the first three majors (second place finishes in the last two) \u2013 he has a knack of elevating his game. He is coming off a T8 last week at Firestone and is on the brink of elite status which could come with a win here.<\/p>\n

Henrik Stenson 25\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hasn\u2019t been stellar but does have 10 top 20s in his last 14 starts. His game suits this track very well but his present form isn\u2019t close to that of the favorites this week.<\/p>\n

Keegan Bradley 28\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2011 champ has looked better lately after an ugly start to the season. He has three straight top 5 finishes with his T4 last week at Firestone and is certainly trending upward ahead of this week. Bradley is very good value at 28\/1 and could be a factor.<\/p>\n

Matt Kuchar 28\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is coming off a T12 at Firestone after a T4 in Canada and has 10 top 10s on TOUR this year. He has been as solid as they come on TOUR although he has cooled slightly the last few months.<\/p>\n

Tiger Woods 28\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your guess is as good as mine.<\/p>\n

Bubba Watson 33\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hasn\u2019t really been a factor lately but his distance off the tee should help him this week for sure. While I like Bubba\u2019s game, his present form has me looking elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Jim Furyk 33\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Has bee uber-steady as of late \u2013 a T15 at Firestone was his 11th top 20 in last 12 starts. Distance off the tee isn\u2019t his game but consistency is. If there is any player that deserves a win, it\u2019s Furyk whose professionalism could carry him to victory this week.<\/p>\n

Charl Schwartzel 35\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Had a T7 at The Open Championship and a T4 at the WGC-Bridgestone with an ugly T43 at the Canadian Open sandwiched in there. His stats are all over the map – 160th in GIR, but 25th in scrambling and ninth in adjusted scoring making Charl hard to trust this week.<\/p>\n

Jordan Spieth 35\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Has certainly come back down to earth as of late but we have learned that you can never count this kid out!<\/p>\n

Graeme McDowell 40\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

His present form is terrific \u2013 five straight top 10s including a T8 at Firestone last week. His game isn\u2019t exactly tailor-made for Valhalla but the fact that he is fifth on TOUR in both strokes gained-putting and adjusted scoring gives him a chance.<\/p>\n

Martin Kaymer 40\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hasn\u2019t been great in his last two starts but to ignore Kaymer is silly in big events.<\/p>\n

The Sleepers (50\/1 or higher):<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Brandt Snedeker 50\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is playing much better \u2013 a T12 at Firestone is his latest good result. His putter could be the difference this week \u2013 his re-found confidence could also contribute to a good week.<\/p>\n

Hideki Matsuyama 50\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

He is going to break out on the biggest stage sooner than later.<\/p>\n

Marc Leishman 50\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Has been very good in 2014 with top 10s in three of his last four starts including a off a T5 at The Open Championship and a T3 at the WGC-Bridgestone last week. He has the distance off the tee, the habit of showing up in the big events and the current form to make some noise here.<\/p>\n

Jason Dufner 66\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

The defending champ isn\u2019t getting any love. He has to be a consideration at 66\/1.<\/p>\n

Ryan Moore 66\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Has been inside the top 12 in his last four starts including a T12 at the Open Championship and aT8 at Firestone and should be motivated for another big effort as a Ryder Cup berth is on the line. He enters ninth in GIR, 17th in proximity, 22nd in adjusted scoring and inside the top 20 in ball striking and par 4 scoring.<\/p>\n

The Pick:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Seriously how can you go against Roy McIlroy at 5\/1<\/strong>? I suppose Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Ricky Fowler or Keegan Bradley could make some noise but Rory is absolutely on a different level right now. I hate to go with such an overwhelming favorite but in this case it\u2019s just plain smart.<\/p>\n

My sleeper is Brandt Snedeker<\/strong>. He has been trending well and may be due for a 2014 breakthrough. At 50\/1, Sneds looks like a steal.<\/p>\n