*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
**Paddy Power’s 10 places each-way applies to bets placed before the tournament tees off.
The US PGA Championship at Southern Hills tees off on Thursday and last year Phil Mickelson become the oldest Major champion in history at Kiawah Island.
Mickelson will not be present at Southern Hills to defend his trophy as he continues to take time away from the game following his ill-judged comments around the LIV golf series.
Tiger Woods will be there however as the 15-time major champion returns to a venue which saw him lift the PGA trophy in 2007.
2022 US PGA Championship
Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd May
TV: Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Golf
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Situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Southern Hills is a par 70 measuring over 7,400 yards. A parkland layout featuring far smaller than average greens protected by numerous bunkers and shaved run-off areas.
Accurate approach play along with strong bunker play and a great scrambling touch are expected to be the keys to success this week.
Main Selection: Jon Rahm
I’ll start by taking a look at the two market leaders Scottie Scheffler and JON RAHM and it is the Spaniard who I like the most.
Scheffler has been on an incredible run of form, which culminated in him rising to World Number One and bagging his fourth win of the year, and first Major in the US Masters.
Rahm contrastingly had a low key start to 2022 with his putter the cause for concern, although his long game continued to fire. Last time out however, in Mexico, his putter began to warm up and he duly landed his first title since his US Open triumph last year.
The Spaniard to me has the perfect all-round game for the test the players will face this week. He ranks first on tour off the tee, first from tee to green and first in Greens In Regulation. He also ranks third in distance off the tee which will certainly help on the two par fives which both measure over 600 yards.
With his short game now turning around as well he looks the ideal fit for what I expect to be a tough test this week. My suspicion is that Scheffler may cool off slightly now and I will start our team off with him.
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Next best picks: Shane Lowry & Hideki Matsuyama
With the value having gone out of Jordan Spieth’s price after his runner-up finish at the weekend, Justin Thomas now winless for 15 months and Rory McIlroy still prone to one lapse too many, I will head further down the market for my next selections. Here sit two players who sit at very similar odds starting with SHANE LOWRY.
The Irishman finished third for us at Augusta and that performance was yet another excellent display in a year that has seen him do everything but win, so far. The 2019 Open Champion currently ranks fifth on tour in approach play, first in scrambling and second in sand saves so he looks to me to be another perfect fit for Southern Hills where Paddy is paying 10 places each-way on bets placed before Thursday’s tee-off.
Alongside Lowry I am keen to have the 2021 Masters Champion HIDEKI MATSUYAMA in our team.
Prior to being derailed by injury, Matsuyama was having a stellar 21/22 campaign with two wins under his belt already and after taking time out since Augusta he produced an eye-catching third place in Texas last week where he closed out with 62.
The Japanese star led the field for the week in approach play at the Byron Nelson and on a course which should reward his trademark iron play he looks great value to me this week.
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Outside picks: Billy Horschel & Branden Grace
Another in form player who appeals is BILLY HORSCHEL. The Florida Gator memorably hit all 18 greens in a round when finishing fourth at Merion in the US Open in 2013, another course with small greens and with Perry Maxwell’s stamp on it, and with his game firing lately, I can see him grinding out a strong performance this week.
Finally in an event which Paddy are paying to ten each-way places I will take a roll of the dice at huge odds on BRANDEN GRACE.
It has been a quiet 2022 for the South African to date however there has been a hint of an upturn over recent weeks. Add that to his strong track record in the biggest of events on tough courses and he is worth risking at these massive odds in a tournament where Paddy is paying 10 places each-way before tee off.
Martin’s PGA Championship tips
Jon Rahm
Shane Lowry
Hideki Matsuyama
Billy Horschel
Branden Grace
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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