The final major of the year is upon us. The PGA Championship is being played only 2 weeks after the British Open because of the Olympics this year. We’re headed to the famed Baltursol Golf course in New Jersey.
1. Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson has had 4 straight top 10 Major Finishes and he won the recent U.S. Open. He’s coming off top 10 at this week’s Canadian Open. We know about Johnson’s length, but his putting has improved too. Of the favorites to win, he’s at the top.
2. Jason Day
Jason Day hasn’t finished outside the top 30 since January. He’s a three time winner in 2016, and is the defending champion at the PGA. What’s not to like about Day?
3. Rory Mcilory
Rory Mcilory is still the most talented golf in the world, but he’s not quite firing on all cylinders. He had a top 10 at the Open Championship, though he never actually contended. I feel like if he can get off to a good start he can contend. I don’t see Mcilory coming from back in the pack.
4. Phil Mickelson
Did you see Phil Mickelson at the British Open? He was terrific as the runner-up to Henrik Stenson. Guess who won at Baltusrol that last time the PGA Championship was held here? That would be Mickelson. He may not contend every week or at every major, but we know he still has the game to win one.
5. Henrik Stenson
The 5th ranked golfer in the world put on a ball striking clinic winning the British Open. In fact it was arguably the best major performance since the 2000 US Open won by Tiger Woods. The only reason I don’t have Stenson higher is because of how hard it is to win back to back majors.
6. Jordan Spieth
I’m not going to have a player of Spieth’s caliber too far down this list. He’s a 2-Time major winner, and when he’s on, the world’s best putter. He seems to be struggling a bit with all the added pressure of being one of the top-ranked players in the world, but we also know what he is capable of.
7. Sergio Garcia
Can Sergio Garcia ever put together 4 rounds to win his first major? If Stenson can win his first major at age 40, then Garcia can and he’s just in his mid 30s. He’s one of the best players ever not to have won a major. It’s not about his physical game, it’s all mental with Garcia.
8. Adam Scott
Adam Scott has been a bit quiet of late, but when you have one of the best swings on tour then you always have a chance. The problem with Scott is his putting. Many of his putting statistics are in the 100s. It’s about the putter whether Scott can contend or not.
9. Bubba Watson
I like to call Bubba Watson the left version of Dustin Johnson. He can simply overpower a golf course. He hasn’t played all that well since March, but Watson is as streaky of a player as there is on tour.
10. Rickie Fowler
Is Rickie Fowler really going to go the entire season without contending at a major? I don’t think so. Fowler is too good player for that to happen. He’s had an un-even year, but he’s my darkhorse pick to contend.
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