More Than Tiger: The Best Bets For The 2019 PGA Championship

Can you hear it? It’s a low thunder, but it’s slowly building, and by Thursday, we won’t be able to hear anything else. It’s…

TIGER!

Yes, after going into hiding following his unbelievable Masters win, Tiger is back this weekend at the PGA Championship, rocking his new Presidential Medal of Freedom, rested and ready to add a 16^th Major on the same course he won the 2002 U.S. Open. 

One might not know it judging from the media coverage, but there will also be a bunch of other golfers, some of them pretty good, competing to bring home the cup as well. A few of the ones you should keep an eye on:

• Brooks Koepka: It’s been an incredible run for the 29 year old Koepka, the defending PGA Championship winner, who is seeking his 4^thmajor in the past 23 months. His 2018 wins of the PGA Championship and U.S. Open were the first to record that double since Tiger did the same in 2000. He’s not scared of Tiger, as exhibited by last year’s PGA, when he continued to drop in birdie after birdie despite the roars coming from the course as he held off a furious Tiger rally. Oh, and he came in second at Augusta, even though nobody cared.
• Tony Finau: Labeled a “bomber” because of his otherworldly power off the tee, Finau has a chance to thrive this weekend thanks to Bethpage Black’s length, coupled with the forecasted wet conditions. He’s also been consistently good all year, with a T-5 at The Masters to go with top tens in 4 of his past 5 Majors.
• Dustin Johnson: How does Dustin Johnson have only one Major? The #1 golfer in the world racks up PGA wins, but always seems to come up just short in the big ones. This course feels like it sets up well for him as well, as he not only has power on his drivers, but control as well, and he’s finished in the top 5 in strokes gained off the tee each of the last 5 seasons. He also tied for second at Augusta, but again, nobody noticed.
• Rory McIlroy: Speaking of strokes gained off the tee, who’s number one in that category? Two-time PGA Championship winner Rory McIlroy, who is looking for his first major since 2014. This season has been good for him so far, with a win at The Player’s Championship in March to go with 8 top ten finishes in his past 10 tournaments. Plus, seriously, who doesn’t love Rory McIlroy?
• Sergio Garcia: If you want to be nostalgic but can’t find any space on the Tiger bandwagon, why not go with Sergio? He has 5 top-ten finishes in 9 PGA Tour events this season. His major problem is a Major problem. He has missed the cut in 6 straight Major championships. Get to the weekend, Sergio, and we’re right there with you.

So many golfers means so may possible bets. Here’s a few of them you should take a look at.

• Overall Tournament Winner: Pretty straightforward. You can bet on a player to win, place in the Top 5, Top 10, and/or Top 20.
• Round One Sixshooters: For round one of the tournament, the house selects six sets of golfers around the same ability, no matter when they are playing. For this round, you can place a wager on any pair, and they are only competing against the people in the selected group.
• Groups: Based on the rankings, these selected groups consist of 5 pairs of golfers. Similar to Sixshooters, but based on overall results instead of just one round.
• Matchups: Different pairs are golfers are matched up against others, and you can bet on which team places better in the overall standings, or is you think they’ll tie.
• Individual Player Bets: Wager on a player’s round scores, choosing from 66 or Better, 67-68, 69-70, or 71 or Worse. 
• Tiger Markets: You know you’re popular when you have bets made just for you. Wager on things like Fairways in Regulation, Shoot Under Par in Round One, and very specific bets like To Birdie Hole 10 in Round One. 

Put your money down, put your feet up and enjoy a few days of great golf!