Can Sergio Garcia win the 2016 PGA Championship? Odds and tips

THE final golfing major of the year is the PGA Championship at Baltusrol, which gives the world’s best golfers one last chance to put themselves into the history books.

2015 champion Jason Day is on the third line of betting at $11, which is slightly interesting, but top golfers Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson are tipped to win at $9 with Sportsbet.com.au.

Baltusrol is known for its tough bunkers and steep angles, which will test out even the best golfers in the world. The typical American pitch-and-putt course isn’t what you’ll find here, so enjoy the Open Championship-style conditions.

The PGA Championship can throw in the odd upset, so we will be looking at the fringe players who could capture their first major title. One player in particular is way overdue for a major win and he will be a popular pick among punters this week.

PGA Championship betting tips – Sergio Garcia

“The Spanish Bull” needs to win a major in order to justify his brilliance.

As the lead golfing writer for CupsBetting.com and the unashamed president of the Sergio Garcia fan club, I admit I may be biased, but believe he’s very close to winning his grand final and the PGA Championship is a good tournament for him.

Garcia is getting plenty of respect by bookmakers, which have him at $26. That’s shorter than multiple major winners Adam Scott and Bubba Watson. That’s just how much respect Sergio has and he’s had a good season to date.

The 36-year-old is now in the “best to have never won a major” list, which isn’t where you want to be.

Finishing fifth in the Open Championship is very good lead-up form and there is some good money to be made betting Sergio this week. The winning region option is paying $3 for Europe to win the Championship, which looks like solid value.

Europe has a strong chance with the likes of Garcia, McIlroy and Stenson. Take Europe ($3 at Sportsbet) for the best betting opportunity of the week.

There is also good value in betting the maiden major winner market. Sportsbet is offering $2.25 on the PGA Championship being won by a maiden major winner and that looks like good value to us. Sergio is in that category and it’s a nice saver to have when betting this week.

For punters that like taking the shorter odds and multi-bets, then the following market is the one for you.

Top Spanish player:
Sergio Garcia – $1.40
Rafa Cabrera-Bello – $2.80

The $1.40 is short, but he should take care of his countryman with ease. We’re predicting Cabrera-Bello to miss the cut, which will make for easy money.

PGA Championship betting – Rickie Fowler

Although it’s too early to put Fowler ($36 at Crownbet) in the same list as Garcia, the media has and Fowler considers it a compliment.

“I think it’s a compliment (to be in the conversation as best golfer to have not won a major),” Fowler said.

“Obviously you’re not part of the elite who have won majors. I’ve been close, had chances. And it has been fun watching guys who have been close before win majors.

“Now we have to step up.”

The 2015 Players Championship winner hasn’t been in the best form of late. He has missed three missed cuts in his last seven majors, but that hasn’t fazed the young Californian.

“I love the feeling of majors,” Fowler said.

“But it’s tough. There are only four a year and if you’re game is not on, it’s hard to put yourself in position for a good finish.

“The majors can pick your game apart a little bit more, a little bit more demanding, so you can’t fake it.”

We expect Fowler to get off to a hot start so take Fowler ($41 at Sportsbet) to be the first round leader on Friday.

PGA Championship betting – Brooks Koepka

If Brooks Koepka was to win this week at Baltusrol it would be one of the better wins this year. The big-hitting American is back after a month of rehab for an injured ankle and he only just started hitting balls this past Saturday.

He’s still well-fancied in the market at $56, which could attract some interest from punters. Koepka didn’t play in the Open Championship, but is hoping to make up for lost time.

“It wasn’t fun not playing in the Open, but if I had played over there I wouldn’t be here,” Koepka said.

“If it was the left ankle I would have been fine, but I couldn’t put weight on the right ankle and push off on it.”

Koepka is currently $2.20 to finish inside the top 30 and that is the best bet for Koepka punters.