PGA Championship betting preview: odds, predictions and tips

Rory McIlroy claimed Masters glory at Augusta National last month and now he’s seeking to add to his current major tally of six at the PGA Championship.

The PGA Championship odds

• Scottie Scheffler 9/2
• Rory McIlroy 8/1
• Jon Rahm 11/1
• Cameron Young 12/1
• Bryson DeChambeau 18/1
• Xander Schauffele 18/1
• Ludvig Aberg 20/1
• Matt Fitzpatrick 20/1
• Tommy Fleetwood 20/1
• Collin Morikawa 30/1

Odds with bet365.

Quick tips for the PGA Championship

• Rory McIlroy – 8/1 with bet365
• Viktor Hovland – 50/1 with Spreadex
• Russell Henley for Top 10 – 5/1 with Sky Bet
• Aaron Rai to lead first round – 125/1 each way with Paddy Power

Best betting offers for the PGA Championship

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The PGA Championship betting preview

When, 13 months ago, Rory McIlroy completed the Career Grand Slam with victory in the Masters, there were two lines of thinking: he would either fly through the rest of the year’s majors (which included a PGA Championship on his favourite course and an Open on home soil), or he would suffer a comedown.

Comedown it was, and it took him a while to rediscover his mojo.

But, when he successfully defended the Masters last month, he was quick to address the issue of how he will respond on this occasion.

“I don’t think I’ll go through that lull of motivation like last year,” he said, and that opens up the possibility of a truly great year for the Northern Irishman who turned 37 at the start of this month.

Meanwhile, the World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is looking for a first win since January, and he’s been very close in recent times. In fact, he has finished second in each of his last three starts, including the Masters behind McIlroy. 

Could we witness a head-to-head duel between the pair this week at Aronimink? It’s a thrilling prospect.

But who are the best bets? Let’s find out.

The PGA Championship betting tips

Here are some key betting tips and insights for the PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy to win

Keep this simple because McIlroy is driven.

He has the bit between his teeth, he’s made a reconnaissance trip to the host course, and he has form there, too, because he opened with a 62 when tied fifth there in 2018.

He also has a fine record in major championships hosted by courses, like Aronimink, that were designed by Donald Ross. Namely, top 10 finishes at both Oak Hill and Pinehurst.

Back Rory McIlroy at 8/1 with bet365

Viktor Hovland Each way

Last week, Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan claimed his first PGA Tour victory, and his good friend Hovland can ride a wave of national pride and kinship.

He likes this championship, finishing tied second in 2023 (at the Ross-designed Oak Hill) and third in 2024.

But his Ross form goes further: he’s been tied fourth at Sedgefield, tied 12th and tied 13th at Detroit, and he won the Tour Championship at East Lake, which was redesigned by Ross.

Back Viktor Hovland each-way at 50/1 with Spreadex

Russell Henley Top 10

The American finished tied third in the Masters, and that makes it five top 10s in his last seven major championship starts. 

That’s a neat record, and it gets better because he’s a specialist on Donald Ross courses. 

In fact, he’s recorded six top 10s on them in his last seven starts.

He even has a fine record at East Lake, a course Ross redesigned, being a top 10 best scorer in three of his five starts there.

Back Russell Henley in the Top 10 market 5/1 at Sky Bet

Aaron Rai First Round Leader

The Englishman, an impressive winner of last November’s HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship, bounced back to form when T5 in last week’s Myrtle Beach Classic, when he opened with a superb 65.

We should take the hint because he loves to make a flying start on a Donald Ross design.

He’s carded a Thursday 65 and 66 when he’s played at Detroit, a 65 and a 63 in his last two visits to Sedgefield – and all of them were good for a top five finish after 18 holes.

He’s also a very solid starter in the majors: in six of the last eight he’s played, he was inside the top 20 after 18 holes – and he was tied fourth on Thursday evening in this championship 12 months ago.

Back Aaron Rai to lead in the first round at 125/1 each way with Paddy Power

How to watch the PGA Championship

• Venue – Aronimink GC, Pennsylvania, USA
• Date – 14th May – Sunday 17th May
• Broadcast – Full coverage on Sky Sports Golf

About the author

Matt Cooper

Matt Cooper has been a golf journalist for 15 years. He’s worked for, among others, Golf365, SkySports, ESPN, NBC, Sporting Life, Open.com and the Guardian. He specialises in feature writing, reporting and tournament analysis. He’s covered numerous Opens, Ryder Cups and Solheim Cups, and travelled to golfing destinations as varied as Kazakhstan, South Korea, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Find Matt on Twitter @MattCooperGolf

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