US PGA Championship Preview

Welcome to the preview of the 105th PGA Championship, one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. This year’s championship will take place at the renowned Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York. As an official money event on the PGA Tour, European Tour, and Japan Golf Tour, the PGA Championship attracts a strong field of 156 players competing for the Wanamaker Trophy.

Where is the 2023 US PGA Championship hosted?

Oak Hill Country Club, established in 1901, is best known for its East Course, which has hosted multiple major championships. The club moved to its current location in Pittsford in the 1920s, expanding its property to 355 acres. The East Course, designed by Donald Ross, underwent various changes over the years, including recent renovations by golf architect Andrew Green to restore some of Ross’ original design elements.

The restoration work at Oak Hill involved replacing the old bentgrass/Poa annua greens with pure bentgrass, restoring the shape and contours of the greens, and removing a significant number of trees. These changes have opened up the course, bringing back perimeter hole placements and presenting a new look and feel compared to previous majors.

Oak Hill’s East Course is a challenging 7,394-yard Par 70 layout with small greens averaging 4,500 square feet. The standout challenge for the players this week will be getting close to the pins, as the small greens and fast, challenging putts will demand precision and accuracy.

Who typically wins and how?

History suggests that the PGA Championship favours longer hitters, and Oak Hill’s design supports this trend. Players who can hit full shots with distance and accuracy will have an advantage, particularly when it comes to approaching the greens. Reading the greens accurately will also be crucial, as the unfamiliar greens require a learning curve.

To succeed in the PGA Championship, players typically need to bring excellent current form. Previous winners of this major often had strong performances leading up to the tournament. Therefore, considering the players’ recent form will be essential for making informed betting decisions.

Oak Hill Country Club & The Course

Oak Hill’s East Course has a rich tournament history, hosting six major championships, including three U.S. Opens and three PGA Championships. However, this year’s PGA Championship will mark the first time the new East Course, following the 2019 renovation, will be tested in top-level competitive action. The changes made by Andrew Green have rejuvenated the course, making it suitable for hosting major championships again.

With its classical design, technical challenges, and increased length, Oak Hill’s East Course offers a demanding test for the world’s best golfers. The removal of trees, wider fairways, and revamped bunkers shift the focus towards power off the tee, favouring the longer hitters. The course conditions, influenced by the New York State location and potential weather factors, will likely contribute to longer distances and limited run on the fairways.

As we approach the 105th PGA Championship, it’s crucial to analyse the weather and course conditions during May. The PGA Championship traditionally favours players who excel in distance, and Oak Hill’s design, combined with soft turf conditions, suggests that power off the tee will play a significant role.

In conclusion, the 105th PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club promises to be an exciting tournament with a challenging course and a strong field. Considering the players’ current form, ability to hit long shots with accuracy, and understanding the course conditions will be vital for making educated betting decisions. Stay tuned for more PGA Championship insights, tips, and free tournament research to help you make informed choices.

Key factors to consider when predicting the winner of this year’s US PGA Championship at Oak Hill

Previous Win in the Season: Historically, many winners of the US PGA Championship have already won an event earlier in the season. This could be a strong pointer for identifying potential winners.

Greens in Regulation (GIR): Hitting greens with regularity has been crucial at Oak Hill. The last six major winners at this course have all ranked inside the top four for GIR. Accuracy and precision in approach shots will be essential.

Recent Form: Players who have been performing well before the US PGA Championship tend to have a higher chance of success. Look for golfers who have recorded top 20 finishes in their previous tournaments.

Recent Major Form: Winning the US PGA Championship often follows a strong performance in a previous major. Seven of the last 10 winners had posted a top 10 finish in one of the previous two majors.

Age and Nationality: Young American players have had success at this tournament, winning eight of the last 10 editions. However, non-American players like Rory McIlroy and Jason Day have also claimed victory.

Market Leaders: The top-ranked players in the Official World Golf Rankings, such as Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler, are considered strong contenders. Rahm is looking to win back-to-back majors after his recent US Masters victory.

Putting Performance: Pay attention to a player’s putting skills, as it can significantly impact their performance. Scottie Scheffler’s recent struggles on the greens may be a cause for concern.

2023 US PGA Championship Favourites & Odds

Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler emerge as the market leaders for the US PGA Championship.

Rahm, the current world number one, has strong claims for victory as he is seeking back-to-back major wins after his recent triumph at the US Masters. Additionally, Rahm has shown good form with a 15th-place finish at The Heritage and a second-place finish at the Mexico Open. As Spain has yet to secure a victory in the Championship, Rahm will be motivated to make history.

Rahm – Paying 8 places at QuinnBet – 15/2

Scottie Scheffler, ranked second in the world, is harder to assess as his performance at the Byron Nelson Championship is ongoing and could influence his play at Oak Hill. However, his number one ranking for Greens In Regulation on the PGA Tour highlights his accurate approach play. Scheffler has already won twice this year, at the Phoenix Open and the Players Championship, showcasing his fine form. The concern lies with his putting, which hasn’t been great in Texas. Whether he can hole enough putts at Oak Hill to claim his second major title remains to be seen.

Scheffler – 8.45 odds on HeySpin – Bet £15 Get £10 Welcome Offer

Rory McIlroy, a two-time winner of the US PGA Championship, is also a notable player but currently makes little appeal based on his recent form. Having missed cuts at the Players Championship and the US Masters, along with a disappointing performance at the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy’s chances seem diminished. Although he may come into the tournament slightly under the radar, it has been nine years since his last major win.

McIlroy – 12/1 with BetZone – Paying 8 places

Justin Thomas is undoubtedly a talented golfer, but his recent form and performance in major championships raise questions about his consistency and ability to win again. While his final round performance in the US PGA Championship last year was remarkable, coming from seven shots behind, his overall performance this season has been somewhat lacklustre.

With only one top-five finish in the current season, Thomas has struggled to find his form. His rankings in Strokes Gained Approach have not been impressive since the US Open, and he has not ranked better than 10th in Putting since his victory at the US PGA Championship 12 months ago.

Considering his ability and potential, it’s reasonable to expect better results from Thomas in major championships. However, his record of seven top 10s in 29 major championship starts may be seen as underachieving given his undeniable talent. It suggests that he has not consistently capitalised on his abilities and performed to the best of his potential in major tournaments.

While Thomas has the skills and experience to contend, his recent form and performance indicators indicate that he will need to find better consistency and regain his top form to have a strong chance of winning another major championship.

Thomas – 20/1 at 10Bet – 1/4 odds each way terms

Tony Finau appears to be a strong contender for the US PGA Championship based on the provided analysis. Despite his major drought, Finau has garnered attention from punters and has a better chance to break through in this tournament. His recent record of winning four out of his last 19 strokeplay events showcases his winning capabilities.

Digging deeper, Finau’s case for a major victory becomes even more compelling. His win at the Rocket Mortgage on a Donald Ross layout in Detroit, shooting 26 under par and winning by a significant margin of five shots, demonstrates his ability to dominate on similar course setups. In the weeks leading up to that win, he had secured victories at the 3M Open by three shots and in Houston by four shots. Most recently, he won in Mexico by three strokes. The victory at Vidanta, where he held off Jon Rahm, who went on to win the Masters two weeks later, illustrates Finau’s progress and ability to contend with the world’s best golfers.

Finau’s combination of length and precision from the tee, along with his ranking inside the top 20 in scrambling from the bunker, makes him well-suited for the challenges of Oak Hill. Additionally, his first-place ranking on the tour in Strokes Gained: Approach indicates his proficiency in approach shots. With his recent stellar performances and the assets he brings to this tournament, Finau appears primed to contend and potentially secure his first major victory.

Overall, Tony Finau’s recent success, particularly his win at Vidanta and his ability to compete with top-ranked players, positions him as a strong candidate for the US PGA Championship.

Finau – 22/1 priced at QuinnBet – paying 8 places

Sam Burns, despite his recent success at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, has struggled to make a significant impact in major championships. In the Masters, he showed promise by sitting in sixth place after the first two rounds, but his performance deteriorated in the final two rounds, leading to a T29th finish. His best major result to date is a T20th in this tournament last year.

It remains somewhat of a mystery why Burns has been unable to establish himself in majors, especially when compared to the success of players like Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young. One possible explanation could be that Burns excels with his putter, while Zalatoris and Young demonstrate their strengths off the tee with their driving abilities.

Given his inconsistent performances in majors, it may be prudent to approach Burns with caution until he shows more consistent results on the big stage however if he can hold his long game together his advantage in putting could prove critical this weekend.

Burns – 40/1 with BetGoodwin – paying 8 places

US PGA Championship Tips & Selections

Of the market principal Scottie Scheffler is just the obvious one hits many key trends and arrives bang in form. The PGA is always a tournament which can lend itself to a new major winner and at bigger odds Tony Finau and Sam Burns look to offer some value