PGA Championship dark horse picks: 5 sleepers who could win at Southern HIlls

Once you get past the favorites, these PGA Championship dark horse picks have long odds but a real sleeper chance to win at Southern Hills. 

Particularly when it comes to a major championship, the favorites to win always get the biggest look. So with that, it’s no surprise that I have Rory McIlroy as my outright pick to win the 2022 PGA Championship along with sprinkles on guys like Hideki Matsuyama and Shane Lowry. And names like Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and many others always look attractive.

But the truth of the matter is that favorites don’t always win golf tournaments. Subsequently, we wouldn’t be doing our due diligence if we didn’t take a hard look at PGA Championship dark horse picks and sleepers that have the game to win this week.

With an emphasis on ball-striking — approach play in particular — along with the ability to play well around the green, let’s take a look at five sleepers who could make noise at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa this week.

Note: All odds are courtesy of WynnBet. For more betting picks and advice, check out BetSided.

PGA Championship dark horse picks: Sleepers who could win at Southern Hills

5. Harold Varner III (+11000)

For a guy who has popped up routinely throughout his career, it speaks to the quality of play from Harold Varner III to say that he’s been playing perhaps the best golf of his career. He’s finished T23 or better in each of his last four starts, including Top 5 finishes at the Zurich Classic (the team event) and the RBC Heritage.

Over the last 20 rounds, Varner is seventh in this field in Strokes Gained: Approach. Furthermore, he’s been a consistent gainer with his around-the-green play, even if he’s not elite in that area. The big concern would be driving accuracy as that could get him in trouble. With that said, however, his great form and how he’s succeeding leads me to believe he can be a factor this week.