For me next week marks end of the golf season. I know there’s the Fed Ex stuff, but is anyone really watching after the PGA Championship? It’s only for the most hardcore golf fans. That said things are setting up for an extremely intriguing final major. Rory Mcilory is playing the best stretch of golf anyone has seen since early 2000s Tiger Woods, but several other golf are at the top of their game. This year’s PGA Championship should be a lot fun.
1. Rory Mcilory
Rory Mcilory is red hot. He just won the British Open and reeled in Sergio Garcia this week at Firestone to win the Bridgestone Invitational. He’s bombing his drives, hitting all the shots, and putting well. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he won his second consecutive major. No golfer in the world is playing better, and now he’s the World’s Top Ranked player. He’s already a 3-time major champion. Mcilory is a heavy favorite this week.
All Sports Discussion Odds of Winning: 10 to 1
2. Sergio Garcia
Sergio Garcia nearly won the British Open, and he nearly won this week at the Bridgestone Invitational. If Mcilory is the hottest golfer in the world, then Garcia is right behind him. Garcia has always had all the talent in the world. His issue has between the ears. It seems like Garcia has put that behind him. He appears primed to finally when his first major. If he gets that first one, I could see him 3 or 4 in his career. Now if he could just figure out what to do about beating Rory Mcilory in one of these events.
All Sports Discussion Odds of Winning: 10 to 1
3. Adam Scott
The World’s Number 2 ranked player is playing as well as anyone in the world outside of Rory Mcilory and Sergio Garcia. He’s just been a top 10 machine in 2014, racking up 8 this year. He has just one non top-15 finish in a major since 2011. One of the best ball strikers in golf, there isn’t any reason to think, Scott won’t be on the leader board at the PGA Championship.
All Sports Discussion Odds of Winning: 15 to 1
4. Justin Rose
I think Justin Rose is ready make a strong run at his second. He’s had top 25 finishes in all three majors this year, and he’s coming off a T4 this week at the BridgeStone. He missed the cut at the Memorial but, doesn’t have another tournament where he ended up outside the top 25. The world’s 4th ranked can certainly make a run this week at the PGA Championship.
All Sports Discussion odds of Winning: 20 to 1
5. Rickie Fowler
T5, T2, T2, in majors and this week against a word class field Rickie Fowler T8. Rory Mcilory’s recent play has overshadowed everyone, but Rickie Fowler has played well this year in the biggest events. Swing coach Butch Harmon has Fowler in position to be a contender this week at the PGA Championship. What I especially like about the top 5 golfers on this list, is they all come in playing extremely well.
All Sports Discussion Odds of Winning: 25 to 1
6. Matt Kuchar
Matt Kuchar is the highest ranked American golfer in the World at #6. He’s got a win a 2nd and 10 top 10 finishes this year. Kuchar is too good a golfer to remain majorless in his career. He’s coming off a solid T12 at the Bridgestone.
All Sports Discussion odds of Winning: 30 to 1
7. Henrik Stenson
When Henrik Stenson is on, he can win on any course he plays. He’s contended at every major, except the Masters. Last year he finished 3rd at the PGA Championship. He’s the 3rd ranked player in the World.
All Sports Discussion odds of Winning: 40 to 1
8. Phil Mickelson
This is rapidly becoming a lost season for Mickelson. He doesn’t have a single top 10 finish on the year, but there 9 top 25 finishes. It seems Mickelson hasn’t had that extra gear he normally does, but things are looking up, after a 69-62 finish to the weekend at Firestone. Is he finished contending in majors? I don’t think so. He’ll contend again maybe even this week. If anyone can catch lightening in a bottle Mickelson can.
All Sports Discussion odds of Winning: 35 to 1
9. Jim Furyk
It’s been awhile since we’ve had Jim Furyk on a top 10 contenders list. Quietly Furyk has 4 straight top 15 finishes in Majors. He’s had 7 top 10s this including 3 2nds. He’s not a huge hitter, but he’s accurate and finds ways to score. He’s 5th on tour in scoring average. If there’s a knock on Furyk in recent years is that he hasn’t been able to close out in tournaments when he’s in contention. Furyk is playing well enough to contend, but can he win?
All Sports Discussion odds of Winning: 45 to 1
10. Tiger Woods
I never thought I’d have a Tiger Woods in my darkhorse position. Woods is not playing well, and he’s clearly rusty. Heck he may not even play after withdrawing this week from the Bridgestone Invitational with back spasms. I don’t expect Woods to win, and it’s unlikely he’ll even contend, but he is headed to back a course where he won the PGA Championship in 2000. He’s fired a couple of sub 70 rounds since his return, so he has played some decent golf at times. Hey I’ve seen stranger things happen.
All Sports Discussion odds of Winning: 50 to 1
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