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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 18: Scottie Scheffler of The United States holds the Wanamaker Trophy after his five shot victory in the final round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 18, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
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The professional golf season is heating up, not only because summer is around the corner. The season’s second major, the PGA Championship, starts tomorrow. Aronimink Golf Club is the host this year and if you haven’t heard of this place you’ll like what you see. The course hasn’t hosted a tour event since the 2003 Senior PGA Championship and before that, the 1962 PGA Championship. The course is long, plays even longer, and the greens will give the players sleepless nights.
The pool of favorites will be on the shallow end due in part to the presence of a number of club professionals in the field. You will remember Michael Block, an aforementioned club professionals making a hell of a run in 2023. Don’t expect a repeat. This is a big hitters course and a marathon test. Club pros aren’t built for it. (A club pro will still dog walk anyone reading this. On any course.)
Betting odds from Caesar’s Sportsbook cite the usual suspects, so let’s get into it.
Scottie Scheffler (+375 to win)
Is Scottie getting the Tiger treatment? Woods was a favorite every time he teed it up, form notwithstanding. To be fair, Scheffler may be heating up. A late charge at Augusta was followed up with a playoff loss the next week at Harbor Town. This is his time of year so there’s evidence to support his big favorite status. I’m not convinced. He’s been erratic off the tee and his putter isn’t firing like we’re accustomed to seeing. He shows up on the big stage and will be a factor. I rarely if ever bet against him. This time though – I don’t know. Top five at +100 may be a better play. Prove me wrong Scottie.
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AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 11: Cameron Young of the United States plays his shot from the fourth tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
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Cameron Young (+800 to win)
Hottest guy on tour at the moment. Two wins, four other top tens and really should have won The Masters. He’s long off the tee and is making almost everything he’s looking at on the greens. Add in some world class confidence and he could break through here. This course isn’t a regular tour stop so everyone is starting equally in terms of course knowledge and experience. All things being equal this guy should be the favorite. A top five finish (+240) is again a great play.
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AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
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Rory McIlroy (+850 to win)
A T-19 finish at the Truist Championship a month removed from his successful Masters defense has Rory looking forward to completing the second leg of the Gramd Slam. Is he healthy enough to do it? The month’s rest can only help. Aronimink is as hilly (if not more) as Augusta. McIlroy held up just fine then. A good opening round and you’ll see him all over your television until Sunday. Good value bet here. Hot prediction: Rory gets into a playoff. Doesn’t win but gets there.
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HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 18: Matthew Fitzpatrick of England plays his shot from the fifth tee during the third round of the RBC Heritage 2026 at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 18, 2026 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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Matthew Fitzpatrick (+1800 to win)
My dark horse among the favorites. Clutch play versus Scheffler at Harbor Town. Another big stage guy. He’ll play well this week and be a factor. As I said earlier Aronimink is a big hitter’s course but the green complexes are diabolical. Fitzpatrick has an excellent short game when he’s on form. If he’s not, you won’t hear from him this week (same goes for everyone). The win at +1800 in the only play here.
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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 19: Xander Schauffele of the United States celebrates after winning on the 18th green during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Xander Schauffele (+1600 to win)
Rarely talked about as a strong favorite but is always in contention. This guy’s motor never stops. He’s the flashiest grinder outside of Tiger I’ve ever seen. His mind and his physical game are built for majors. He’s won two of them and his ceiling is much higher. Keep it in play and be razor sharp with the putter will have Schauffele poised to hold the Wanamaker Trophynfor the second time in three years.
Prediction: Schauffele over McIlroy in a playoff. The leaderboard will be bunched, this playoff could involve others.
Bonus prediction: The LIV situation plays havoc with its players. Bryson DeChambeau is low LIVer but isn’t a factor.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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