A variety of betting tips for the 2011 PGA Championship from our resident golf expert, as the top players in the world descend upon the Atlanta Athletic Club in Georgia.
Amongst past champions and others, 98 of the world’s top 100 golfers will tee-up this week in the 93rd PGA Championship, which takes place at the Atlanta Athletic Club inGeorgia.
The Course
The Highlands Course at Atlanta Athletic Club played host to the 2001 PGA Championship but since that staging 10 years ago the course has changed dramatically. The fairways have been tightened and reshaped, greenside bunkers remodelled and moved closed to the putting surface and perhaps the most dramatic change of all is the grass, which has switched from Bentgrass toBermuda.
Stretching to a yardage just short of 7,500 and playing to a par 70, the Highlands Course is set-up to present an extremely tough test to the PGA Championship field this week. Despite the length, don’t be surprised to see short hitters like David Toms (50/1), K.J. Choi (66/1) and Zach Johnson (45/1) play themselves into contention, as the firm landing areas will give those off the tee extra distance. The rough is also penal so short, straight hitters have a distinct advantage on the field.
The Field
Of the four golf majors each year, the PGA Championship has the toughest field assembled. The top ranked player in the field this week is the world’s number one golfer Luke Donald (14/1), who leads both the PGA Tour and European Tour money lists although it should be noted that the Englishman’s major record is notoriously poor. Joining Donald at the Highlands Course is the defending PGA Champion Martin Kaymer (33/1) who since his dramatic victory at Whistling Straits last year has propelled himself to 3rd in the official world golf rankings. Like his fellow countryman Donald, Lee Westwood (12/1) has yet to win a major championship but he has come close, recording five top-3 finishes at majors in the past three years. Westwood recently enlisted the help of putting guru Dave Stockton and psychologist Bob Rotella so expect apolished performance from the number 2 ranked golfer in the world. Another golfer expected to deliver a big performance is the recent U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy (10/1) who this week confirmed he would be re-joining the PGA Tour in 2012. The top-ranked American player in the PGA Championshipfield is the recent Memorial & John Deere Classic winner Steve Stricker (28/1), who like Donald & Westwood, has yet to win a major championship. Nestled behind Stricker in the current world golf rankings is fellow Americans Phil Mickelson (28/1) Dustin Johnson (28/1) and Nick Watney (33/1), surprisingly 14-time major champion and former world number one Tiger Woods (25/1) is ranked in 30th place, just one spot ahead of Italian teenager Matteo Manassero (125/1).
PGA Championship Betting Tips
Best Value Bets
Top 10 Finish
Louis Oosthuizen 15/1
Last year’s British Open champion, Louis Oosthuizen, has struggled since joining the PGA Tour but this course could re-ignite his golf game. However, he drives the ball straight and long and his putting, especially on fast greens, is exceptional. Oosthuizen recorded a top-10 finish at the recent U.S. Open and Congressional won’t play too dissimilar to the Highlands Course this week.
Top 20 Finish
Jonathan Byrd 13/2
American golfer Jonathan Byrd is a solid all round ball-striker and tremendous putter.Winner of the season-opening Tournament of Champions, Jonathan Byrd also has 6 top-25 finishes to his name this season and his golf game is well suited to the Highlands Course. Byrd has recorded 30+ top-10 finishes in his PGA tour career so a top 20 finish in the final major championship of the year doesn’t look beyond this local resident.
Top American Player
Davis Love III 66/1 (e/w 1,2,3,4)
Experience will play a major part in determining the winner this week so bear in mind American golfer Davis Love III, who joined the US Tour way back in 1986. Love III has already recorded 3 top-15 finishes at this year’s British Open, U.S. Open and Players Championship and considering that he’s fantastic ball-striker and an excellent scrambler, you’d be foolish to rule him out being one of the top Americans.
Top European Player
Martin Laird 25/1 & Outright 90/1
Sweltering heat is forecast for this year’s PGA Championship so step forwardScottsdale,Arizonaresident Martin Laird. The Scottish born golfer ply’s his trade from one ofAmerica’s hottest cities so shouldn’t be inconvenienced by the conditions. Laird has 6 top 10 finishes to his name this season including an impressive win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill earlier in the season, which incidentally uses Bermuda grass and isn’t too dissimilar to the Highland Course.
Outright Betting Tips
Along with Scotland’s Martin Laird, here are my outright betting tips for this year’s PGA Championship.
Tiger Woods 25/1
Prior to last week, Tiger Woods was without a competitive round for three months so some of the cobwebs should now be dusted off. Woods is a four-time winner of the PGA Championship and remains the most prominent figure if the golfing world. Physically, he looked as strong as ever at the Bridgestonesome of his approach play was reminiscent of his glory days. Woods may no longer be at his best but if he strings together a couple of decent rounds at the Highlands Course this week then who knows what the weekend lies in store.
Zach Johnson 45/1
Zach Johnson may be a short hitter but he hits every single fairway, which is an excellent attribute to have around this golf course. The American, who has won three times in Georgia, recorded 2 top-10 finishes in his last two starts at the PGA Championship and finished in a creditable sixth place at last week’s Bridgestone Invitational. Johnson is tremendous with the flat-stick and the faster the greens the better he putts. Expect another solid performance from Zach Johnson, who has is on a streak on nine consecutive finishes of 32nd or better.
