Masters hero Scottie Scheffler heads the betting for the second major of the season as the world's best golfers roll into Oklahoma to do battle for the iconic Wanamaker Trophy.
The world's number one-ranked golfer is an 11/1 favourite in Betfred 's wide-open market but one or two of his opponents rate better value to tame this elongated par 70 track.
The last time the PGA was held at Southern Hills was in 2007, when Tiger Woods finished eight-under to beat Woody Auston by two shots. Woods, who says he feels 'a lot stronger', is back 15 years later but the Oklahoma course is unrecognisable since those days. Recently restored by Gil Hanse, Southern Hills is now long on the scorecard at 7,556 yards and scoring opportunities are hard to find, even if the 17th hole is likely to be a driveable par-four for much of the championship.
Both par-fives can stretch well beyond 600 yards and although the 13th plays downhill, even the world's best will not find it easy to reach the green in two.
At first glance, it looks like a course made for bombers but skilful iron play alongside a quality short game will also be required given the greens are actually quite small for a course of this size. Their difficulty level is increased by by some steep contours and sharp run offs. In short, a classy short game will be as important as distance from from the tee.
KEY STAT: 18 of the last 22 US PGA Championship winners had already won an event that season.
USPGA Championship tips
Our first selection is the rejuvenated Jordan Spieth, whose game looks tailor-made for Southern Hills. There are very few negatives to Spieth's chance in truth because simply put, he is playing some of the best golf in the world right now despite his 'off week' in the Masters. His driving, iron play and short game are all in rude health and reports are that the Texan took an immediate shine to the redesigned course on a recent scouting mission.
Spieth lost out by a single shot in last weekend's AT&T Byron Nelson but said afterwards that his performance over the four rounds was "good momentum going into next week". It's a big week for Spieth, who needs just the PGA to complete a career grand slam and , having won the RBC Heritage only last month, there can be no doubt that he heads to Oklahoma at the peak of his powers. The 28-year-old looks nailed on to put up a big performance.
Our second selection is 'Mr Consistent' Hideki Matsuyama who comes into this tournament bang in form after a third-place finish at last week's Byron Nelson, which he signed off with a stunning final-hole eagle.
The Japanese star has never finished outside the top 40 in nine US PGA Championship appearances, finishing fourth in 2016 and fifth in 2017. The 30-year-old topped the strokes-gained-on-approach stats in Texas last weekend and that stellar approach-play will surely stand him in great stead around Southern Hills. Finally, there is no need to worry about Matsuyama aligning with the key stat about previous winners because he won the Sony Open in Hawaii earlier in the year.
Jordan Spieth - 2pts win at 16/1
Hideki Matsuyama - 1pt each-way @ 25/1
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US PGA Championship odds with Betfred
- Scottie Scheffler 11/1
- Jon Rahm 12/1
- Rory McIlroy 14/1
- Justin Thomas 16/1
- Jordan Spieth 16/1
- Collin Morikawa 18/1
- Cameron Smith 22/1
- Dustin Johnson 22/1
- Patrick Cantlay 22/1
- Xander Schauffele 25/1
- Viktor Hovland 25/1
- Hideki Matsuyama 25/1
- Brooks Koepka 30/1
- Shane Lowry 30/1
- 33/1 bar
Each Way: 1/5 odds EIGHT places
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