The second major golf tournament of the year, the 2025 PGA Championship, is scheduled to take place from Thursday through Sunday at Quail Hollow Club.
Golf experts share their predictions for who might win, while betting analysts highlight potential value bets. Here`s a breakdown of the top contenders and betting perspectives ahead of the event.
Expert Picks for the Winner
Several experts weighed in on who they believe will hoist the Wanamaker Trophy:
- Rory McIlroy: A popular choice, cited for his current strong form and exceptional history at Quail Hollow, having won there multiple times. Experts believe his recent major win has freed up his game.
- Justin Thomas: Picked based on his return to elite form after a recent win and runner-up finish, along with his past victory at Quail Hollow in the 2017 PGA Championship.
- Scottie Scheffler: As the World #1, his competitive spirit is expected to drive him, despite some perceiving his demeanor as understated.
- Bryson DeChambeau: Mentioned for his driving length, strong long-iron play, consistent putting, recent LIV win, and solid performance in recent majors, including a runner-up finish at the 2024 PGA Championship. His length is seen as a significant advantage, especially on a potentially wet Quail Hollow course.
- Shane Lowry: Selected for his current good form, strong driving, and excellent iron shots.
Betting Roundtable Insights
Betting experts offer their analysis and recommended wagers:
Picks to Win
- Xander Schauffele: Seen as a strong contender with a disciplined, well-rounded game suited for the demanding course, offering better value than the top favorites.
- Shane Lowry: Considered undervalued at his odds, with strong strokes gained: tee-to-green stats and previous top finishes in the PGA Championship.
- Rory McIlroy: Despite short odds, his dominant course history at Quail Hollow and suitable playing style make him a compelling pick.
Favorite Top 10 Bets
- Patrick Reed: Considered a value bet from the LIV tour, given his strong major performances outside of DeChambeau and a T2 finish the last time the PGA was at Quail Hollow.
- Bryson DeChambeau: Recommended for a top-10 finish due to his consistent high finishes in recent majors (especially PGA Championships) and his game being well-suited for Quail Hollow.
- Jon Rahm: Picked for his length off the tee, precise long irons, and ability to handle challenging courses, making him a threat even when not at his absolute best.
Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy Bets
- Rory McIlroy Top 10 Finish, Round 1: A plus-money bet on McIlroy to start strong at a course he dominates, especially after completing the career Grand Slam.
- McIlroy over Scheffler (Tournament Matchup): Favored due to McIlroy`s superior course knowledge, length advantage, and putting on this specific layout, despite Scheffler`s recent dominant form.
Favorite Long Shots/Value Bets (100-1 or longer)
- Tony Finau: Despite current form concerns, his distance off the tee offers potential value at high odds in a major known for producing surprise winners.
- Denny McCarthy: Selected based on his positive results at Quail Hollow in previous years (T6, T8) and strong putting, suggesting he can overcome his lack of distance on this course.
- Keith Mitchell: Noted for his recent trend of consistent high finishes (multiple consecutive top-20s) and strong ball striking, with previous top-10s at Quail Hollow indicating course comfort.
Other Notable Bets
- Corey Conners to finish as Low Canadian: A bet based on his strong record in this market in recent majors and consistent high finishes on tour, including past positive results at Quail Hollow.
- Justin Thomas (-120) vs. Xander Schauffele (Matchup): Thomas is favored due to his history of winning here and his stronger iron play, which is key on this course, giving him an edge in ball striking over Schauffele.
