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The Spiv takes a look at the runners and riders at Kiawah Island
Words: GolfPunk
Photography: Getty Images / PGA Tour /European Tour
It was a relative surprise when Hideki Matsuyama picked up his first major title at The Masters and it is no easy task picking the winner of the PGA Championship this week. Kiawah Island throws up many challenges to the best in the world, especially if the wind starts blowing. The Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course, host of the famous 'War by the Shore' Ryder Cup match in 1991, is by the sea but could hardly be described as a links course. The paspalum grass does not allow for much run on the fairways and although the greens are relatively flat many are elevated. It is truly a beast at its full length of 7,876 yards and if the wind does get up, we can expect some tees to be moved up. The Spiv has taken a look at the field, applied his unrivalled knowledge of the game, and sharpened his pin and come up with his top picks for the 103rd PGA Championship. All odds are the best we could find online at the time of writing. Jordan Speith (16/1) The 27-year-old American cannot be ignored given his current return to form. If the three-time major winner gets that putter running hot watch out everyone. Speith has finished in the top five in over half of his last nine events, including joint third at The season's first major. After tumbling down the rankings in recent years the American is on an upward trajectory at twenty-sixth in the world. Jordan has voiced a liking for playing by the sea on paspalum courses and is a proven player in windy conditions. Rory McIlroy (11/1) Rory has finally ceased trying to outdo Muscles Dechambeau off the tee and had a welcome return to form when ending his title drought at the Wells Fargo. Although the bookies are not offering great value the 32-year-old cannot be ignored. A course and distance winner, McIlroy won the 2012 PGA Championship, the man from Northern Ireland find the course to his liking. The recent win means he will be confident coming into the event and if he eliminates that one lousy round that has plagued him in majors of late, he may well grab his second PGA Championship title. Patrick Reed (35/1) Looking for value further down the field Patrick Reed jumps out as a reasonable bet at odds of 35/1. The gutsy Reed is not everyone's cup of tee but always seems to be there or thereabouts at the majors. Reed has won this season at the Farmers Insurance Open, tied eight at Augusta in April and most recently was tied sixth at the Wells Fargo. The world number eight is one of the best at shaping shots and is ranked second on the PGA Tour this season in strokes gained – putting.
Dean Burmester (350/1) If you are looking for a great each-way bet then Dean Burmester looks like great value. Burmester won the Tenerife Open at the beginning of the month and finished just two back from Richard Bland at the Betfred British Masters at the weekend. The South African hits the ball an absolute mile and so the length of Kiawah Island holds no fear for a man who comes into only his second major full of confidence.
