PGA Championship 2018: Predictions, picks and upsets

Here’s a few predictions, picks and upsets for the 2018 edition of the PGA Championship from Bellerive Country Club.

What a wild ride this major championship year has been in the world of golf and things conclude with one last shot at glory as the PGA Championship takes its place as the final major of the year for the final time before moving to its new home in May next season at Bethpage Black. This week, however, the festivities take place at Bellerive Country Club in suburban St. Louis, which will host the PGA Championship for the second time and the first time since Nick Price won here in 1992. This is the third overall major for Bellerive with the first major championship here being the 1965 U.S. Open, which was famously won by Gary Player as he completed the career Grand Slam.

TNT and CBS will be handling TV coverage this year with more than 28 hours of coverage and PGA.com will be jumping in as well with plenty of streaming options, including featured groups and holes and there will certainly be plenty to watch. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson leads this field of 156 players to battle this interesting St. Louis track that may not be familiar to some newer viewers of the sport and you can take a look at the course on the next page to get you up to speed.

As far as storylines are concerned, there is definitely no shortage there. The top 10 in the world alone would be enough for any tournament and while there will be more detail in the following pages, along with a few other stories that could make things fun to watch, some early ones to jump out include Justin Thomas looking to defend his title (history is working against him), Rory McIlroy looking to win his first major in four years, Rickie Fowler simply looking to win a major, Jordan Spieth looking to complete the career Grand Slam and so many others, including some chances at the final Ryder Cup spots.

Outside the top 10, we know that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are going to be discussed at length. There’s five PGA Championship titles between them and they’re always a story at a major. Some more of the young guns on the PGA Tour are looking to make a real name for themselves this week as some of the past champions are looking for one more moment in the sun. It’s going to be a fun ride this week so let’s get into it, starting with a look at the golf course itself.