3 Golfers Who Can Make A Sunday Run At The PGA Championship
Phil Mickelson has turned back the clock, and is now heading into Sunday at the PGA Championship with a one-stroke lead. Brooks Koepka, who is trying to hunt down his fifth major championship, trails Mickelson by one stroke. The South African Louis Oosthuizen, who always seems to be in contention on Sunday at the majors, will enter the final round two strokes back from Mickelson at five-under par.
But what about the rest of the field? Is there anyone worth watching or betting on to make a run at today’s championship?
Here are three golfers that I think could have a big day and put some pressure on the final two pairings.
Bryson DeChambeau +1500
Despite sitting at T7 ahead of Sunday’s tee-off, DeChambeau has the fourth best live odds at WynnBET to win today’s championship.
DeChambeau will have to putt much better today if he hopes to stage a comeback, as the current US Open champion is losing -0.22 strokes with his putter through the first three rounds. Where Bryson has excelled, to no one’s surprise, is his driving. He’s gaining +1.36 strokes off the tee, the most by anyone in contention today.
If he can sink a few more putts, don’t be shocked if DeChambeau goes low.
By the way, don't think I forgot that I said DeChambeau would struggle this week. Hand up, I was wrong.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout +2500
If you’re of the belief that major championships come down to whoever putts the best, then Bezuidenhout is your guy. The South African golfer came into the PGA Championship ranking ninth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: putting, and he now leads the field in that stat this week.
Through the first three rounds, Bezuidenhout has gained +2.68 strokes with his flat stick, well above the top three golfers on the leaderboard.
He currently sits at three-under par, four strokes back from Mickelson.
If he can figure things out with his driver, where he’s looking -0.31 strokes on the field, Bezuidenhout could make things interesting down the stretch.
Paul Casey +7500
As the odds indicate, this is quite the long shot, but if you’re looking for someone off the board to make a Sunday run, it very well could be Paul Casey.
Casey, who finished T2 at last year’s PGA Championship, is sitting at T10 and six-strokes back from the leader ahead of today’s final Round. He would need to play lights-out golf and hope that the leaders stumble if he wants to make a case for his first major championship.
A big part of a Sunday run would have to include some improved putting. Casey is losing -0.24 strokes on the field with his putting so far this week, but his approach game has been lights out, gaining +2.63 strokes on the field.
Kopeka (+2.97) and Mickelson (+2.71) are the only golfers who have had a better approach game than Casey.
Only time will tell what happens today at Kiawah Beach, but with windy conditions and the pressure that comes with a major tournament, we could see some movement on the leaderboard.