PGA Championship Score Predictions: How Will the Top Players Fare at Southern Hills?

We're less than 24 hours away from the opening tee shot at this year's PGA Championship.

With the defending champion, Phil Mickelson, not coming back to defend his title, who will win the Wanamaker Trophy this year?

Or, a better question for us bettors, which golfers are worth adding to our betslips and using in our pools?

To help you out, I'm going to prediction the winning score this weekend, as well as the final score of the top 10 golfers on the odds list. All odds below are courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

PGA Championship Score Predictions

Winning Score: -9

By all accounts, Southern Hills is going to have some bite to it this weekend. The greens are fast and sloped, and chipping is going to be a major challenge for golfers. Not to mention, we may get some tricky wind at times throughout the tournament.

I think the winning score is going to stay in the single-digits, but just barely.

Scottie Scheffler +1000 (-6)

Scottie Scheffler is going to be in the conversation on the weekend, but he's going to ultimately fall short with a final score of 6-under par. Despite him being on record of Southern Hills being one of his favorite courses, there could be a bit of a Masters hangover. He's finished T18 and T15 in his two starts since winning the Green Jackets.

Jon Rahm +1100 (-2)

If chipping is going to be a challenge this week, than Jon Rahm should be nervous. His chipping game has been his biggest weakness this season, ranking 154th in strokes gained: around-the-green, 195th in sand save percentage, and 130th in scrambling. I'd stay away from betting on Jon Rahm, if I were you.

Rory McIlroy +1400 (-7)

Rory McIlroy hasn't won a major in seven years, and I forsee a similar outcome this week. His first round scoring has cost him several times, and then he makes a weekend charge to finish just a couple of strokes back from the leader.

We've seen it before, and we'll see it again.

Justin Thomas +1400 (-3)

Justin Thomas seems to have all the tools to compete this week, but an inaccurate driver and a streaky putter tends to cost him at Major tournaments. If he's forced to play out of the thick, bermuda rough more often than not this week, he's going to have trouble giving himself birdie opportunities.

Jordan Spieth +1500 (E)

Jordan Spieth is one of the most popular golfers on Tour, and he can complete the career grand slam with a win this week. With that being said, I don't trust him. His biggest strength, putting, is now his largest weakness. He ranks 175th in strokes gained: putting.

Even when he won the RBC Heritage a couple of weeks ago, he became one of the only people on Tour to win an event while losing strokes on the field with his putting. That's not going to fly at a major tournament.

Patrick Cantlay +2000 (-8)

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele blew the field away as partners in the team event, the Zurich Classic, a couple of weeks ago. I wouldn't be surprised if this week's PGA Championship comes down to those two fellas.

He has the short game to win this week, but his inability to close out tournaments may cost him his first major championship.

Hideki Matsuyama +2000 (-6)

Much like Scottie Scheffler, the former Masters champion is going to be in the discussion for winning his second major tournament this weekend. If he can get hot with his putter, he has the skills to do it. He's one of the best drivers on Tour, and his approach ranks sixth. Even his play around the greens is stronger than most in the field.

Unfortunately, he ranks 143rd in putting, and you have to putt well to win majors. It's possible, but I think he finishes just short of glory.

Collin Morikawa +2100 (-2)

It's no secret that Collin Morikawa is one of the best balls strikers and iron players on Tour, but if chipping is paramount this week, he's screwed. He's one of the worst golfers when it comes to chipping, ranking 192nd in strokes gained: around-the-green.

He has more majors in his future, but he's going to have a disappointing outing this week.

Cameron Smith +2200 (-4)

Cameron Smith certainly has the approach game and short game to compete this week, but his driver might cost him. He's 143rd in strokes gained: off-the-tee, which includes a 150th ranking in driving accuracy. Much like JT, if he continuously finds himself in the bermuda rough, he's going to find it difficult to rack up many birdies.

Xander Schauffele +2400 (-9)

You were probably wondering when I was going to give a score prediction of -9, which I deemed would be the winning score. Well, here it is.

As I wrote about in my betting preview, I think this is finally time for Xander Schauffele to win his first Major. He's in fantastic form, winning the Zurich Classic alongside Patrick Cantlay, and then following it up with a T5 at the AT&T Byron Nelson last week. He has no holes in his game, and will have no issue chipping for par when he misses the green.

Tiger Woods Score Prediction: Missed Cut

Listen, I'd love to be dead wrong about this, but let's be real. Tiger looked terrible on Saturday and Sunday at the Masters, and now he is going to compete at a course that he's not nearly as familiar with. Sure, he won it last time it was hosted at Southern Hills, but he knows Augusta National like the back of his hand and still couldn't muster a top 40 finish.

This is the tournament you want to bet on Tiger at. Instead, target him at the Open Championship at St. Andrew's in a couple of months.

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

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