Scottie Scheffler has reached favorite status we haven’t seen since prime Tiger Woods as we head into the second men’s major of the year, the 2024 PGA Championship. So should we even bother breaking down anyone else’s odds of winning Glory’s Valhalla’s last shot? Probably not, but we will anyway.
After all, Scheffler’s number is so low that it makes plenty of other golfers tempting. So despite the fact that it feels like we’re heading toward an inevitable Scottie victory, here’s a look at our weekly ranking/rundown of the best bets (odds via DraftKings) available.
Reason to pick: Did you see the Masters? First major championship start and he was tied for the lead heading to the back nine on Sunday at Augusta National. This guy has multiple majors written all over him.
Cause for concern: As long as Valhalla’s patrons fans don’t knock his food out of his hands.
Reason to pick: All he does is win or contend in big events. He’s won three in the past year and he’s finished runner-up to Scheffler in two already this year. So at SEVEN times the odds of Scheffler, that’s crazy value.
Cause for concern: Can he overcome Scheffler down the stretch? Speaking of …
Reason to pick: It seems crazy to put someone with odds this low this high in the ranking, but the World No. 1 is on a historic run right now. And I’m kicking myself for not just betting him every week this season.
Cause for concern: He will not be as well-rested if his wife has their first child before the tournament.
Reason to pick: The defending champ! And a man going for a fourth Wanamaker Trophy! Not much not to like when Koepka plays these PGA setups. He even finished T-15 here way back in 2014.
Cause for concern: Will he be too distracted by his beloved “Ps” making a Stanley Cup run?
Reason to pick: He’s just really, really good at all aspects of the game. And he never seems to have a bad week as evidenced by his current PGA Tour-leading 45-tournament cut streak.
Cause for concern: For whatever reason, that “really, really good” hasn’t been good enough when it comes to winning a major. But I’m sticking with him.
Reason to pick: We’re going to call that lackluster Masters performance a blip. He was the defending champ, and it was his first time mingling with PGA Tour folk again.
Cause for concern: Then again, he looked pretty miserable and didn’t play well at a course he’s owned.
Reason to pick: DeChambeau certainly had everyone’s attention at the Masters as he shared the 36-hole lead before cooling off over the weekend as scores went up. He should like playing an easier Valhalla course even better.
Cause for concern: Not much concern, just wish he was still being put in that 40- to 50-to-1 range by oddsmakers.
Reason to pick: With a playoff loss in this event two years ago, Zalatoris has flashed that form at times this season in his return from back surgery last year.
Cause for concern: That being said, he hasn’t been nearly as consistent since the surgery.
Reason to pick: So my 55-to-1 Masters ticket on this guy didn’t work out, but he still seems primed for a major breakthrough after winning the first two LIV events of the season and receiving a special invite to Valhalla.
Cause for concern: Given LIV’s sporadic schedule, those two wins seem like a long (long) time ago.
Reason to pick: After a slow start to the season (for him), McIlroy picked up his first PGA Tour title of the year at the Zurich.
Cause for concern: Then again, that was a team event with Ryder Cup buddy Shane Lowry.And now he probably has “Don’t Stop Believin'” stuck in his head.
Reason to pick: The reigning FedEx Cup champ was also last year’s runner-up to Koepka at the PGA. A year ago—heck, a few months ago—18-to-1 odds would have been considered a steal.
Cause for concern: Hovland hasn’t kept the momentum he had at the end of last season in large part because of his iron play and a change in coaches. He’s fallen from 11th in strokes gained/approach to out side the top 100 in 2024.