PGA Championship picks
Ah yes Bethpage Black one of my favorite golf courses in the US. Its long and its brutal fit for US Open play. Only problem is we are playing the PGA Championship so with 4 holes of 490+ par 5 playing 600+ I’m expecting low scores of -5 or below. It would not shock me if the winner finished over par. I will provide power rankings 10 favorites this week along with a winner and sleeper picks
10 Patrick Cantley
Playing great golf lately one point head the lead back nine Masters Sunday. His game fits the golf course where you’ll need to scramble and hit putts to be in contention on Sunday.
9 Xander Schauffele
Coming off a runner up appearance at the Masters to Tiger Woods and already owning two wins on the season. Schauffele has been one of the top golfers to far on tour and is playing great golf coming in do not be surprised if he is in the thick of things come Sunday.
8 Matt Kuchar
12th or better last four events and a runner up appearance RBC Heritage. Matt Kuchar comes into the PGA Championship leader in the FedEx Cup Standings. His irons will be a factor this week but expect Kuchar to be a factor in the weekend. He still has yet to win a major his career
7 Tony Finau
Not the greatest play since the Masters. This course is long and Finau one of the longest hitters on Tour which fits his style. As long as he can scramble when he needs too (ranked 145 on tour) then he will be in contention.
6 Rickie Fowler
I have always said Rickie Fowler will win his first major at the PGA Championship. PGA Championship three of the past four winners were first time major winners. To win here at Bethpage you have to approach it like a US Open be patience take pars on most of the holes lack of birdie chances. This is why Fowler has a great chance this week the course and style fits his golf game. If he brings his A game Sunday may be his.
5 Rory Mcllroy
While he has cooled off after his hot start a long course equals a lot of drivers. What is Mcllroy special weapon his Driver. Rory is one of the few golfers who may be able to overpower Bethpage. If his wedges are on point and he makes enough putts. Something he lacked at the Masters.
4 Francesco Molinari
Like Rickie this style of play right in his background. A man of few mistakes if you take out the Masters collapse. Tee, fairway, green that is Molinari game and that is what you need to win at a course like Bethpage. Only problem is he plays with Tiger Woods think week first two rounds which is always hard to handle. So precede with caution in picking Molinari because of the Tiger effect.
3 Dustin Johnson
World number one the past three years coming into the PGA Championship. Dustin Johnson is due major number two. His length with his driver will always be there. It always comes down to one thing with Dustin Johnson putting. If he can make putts he will be in contention and maybe win. That club has cost him many majors in the past it remains to be seen how it does this week.
2 Brooks Koepka
Mr. Major himself has been one of the hottest golfers at Majors. The defending champion is a likely favorite this week . Why should he not great play coming into this week game is on form after a slow start. Expect Koepka in one of the final groups Sunday and maybe playing with Tiger Woods on a Sunday. When he already is playing first two rounds with him.
1 Tiger Woods
Ah yes coming off that big Masters victory for number 15. Many people will pick him I do not blame them. Only problem is the course is long Tiger will need to be accurate with his driver avoid the rough and trouble. Also he has not played in 32 days which is not the greatest thing to hear. However he is the goat and is going after history in win number 82. You always need to pick him as one of your favorites your power rankings.
Just missed the cut
Jason Day (bad back) Tommy Fleetwood (no wins America soil) Jordan Spieth (bad play but going for Grand Salm) Justin Rose (bad history at Bethpage) John Rham ( course does not suit his game)
Winner Rickie Fowler
This will be the week I cannot pick Tiger Woods that is my rule since I am a superman of the man. I just love how the course is set up for Rickie game. This may be his best chance at winning a major yet. I am on board with him this week as I expect this to be low scoring US Open golf. Where pars and sometimes bogeys win it and that is Rickie game. He doesn’t go low he lets the tournament come to him.
Sleepers Paul Casey, Henrick Stenson, Kevin Kisner, Joel Dahen, Kieth Mitchell, Cameron Smith, Marc Lesiman, Jim Furyk
