PGA Championship 2023: 5 dark horses who could win the Wanamaker Trophy

2. Nicolai Hojgaard (+19000)

We’ve started to see Nicolai Hojgaard a bit more stateside over the past few months and, though the results in relatively weak non-designated fields have been mediocre, the fact of the matter is that the young Dane has all kinds of game and the ability to pop, which we’ve seen on the DP World Tour time and again.

Hojgaard is another player who wins with his ball striking, gaining just shy of 1.0 weighted strokes over his last 20 rounds. However, he’s not a negative with his short game either around the green or with the putter, gaining slightly in both of those metrics as well.

While the Danish twin’s highs haven’t been on the level as some of the others on this list, the talent is up there with anyone. Given that he’s been in relatively good form, this number makes him way too deep of a sleeper to not think about with how good of a player he is.

1. Hayden Buckley (+28000)

How in the world Hayden Buckley has ended up at 280/1 is beyond me.

Yes, his most recent finish was T43 at the Wells Fargo but prior to that, his previous two stroke play starts were a T5 at RBC Heritage and T10 at the Valero. And it’s all been done with elite ball striking, gaining a ridiculous 1.97 weighted strokes on off-the-tee plus approach over his last 20 rounds. And while the around-the-green play has been a problem, he’s also been a slight gainer with the putter too.

Buckley has really started to peak with his ball striking. He’s another guy with a lack of major championship experience, but this setup at Oak Hill appears ready to reward players who simply hit the ball well and to the right spots. Even with some concerns around the greens, there’s too much to like about his form coming in to not think he’s able to pop.

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