PGA Championship Betting Tips

Daniel Collins

Written by: Daniel Collins

Last Updated:

Read Time: 4 minutes

The PGA Championship is one of the four major golf tournaments on the calendar each season. The PGA Championship has traditionally been the final major tournament of the season, but starting in 2019 it was bumped up to May to become the second tournament played. The course that the PGA Championship is played on changes every year. In October 1916, the first PGA Championship tournament was played at Siwanoy Country Club in New York.

Just like with any “Major” golf tournament, there are several ways to make money, and there will be plenty of betting action surrounding the event.

The 2018 edition was the 100th annual PGA Championship, and the play on the golf course was exceptional. Brooks Koepka was able to hold off Tiger Woods and Adam Scott by shooting a -16 under par to win the tournament in St. Louis, Missouri.

Jack Nicklaus has the most PGA Championship victories with five, and he has also recorded four runner-up finishes. Julius Boros is the oldest player to ever win this event at 48 years, 142 days. 20-year-old Gene Sarazen is the youngest player to ever win the Wanamaker Trophy back in 1922.

As the course changes every year, it has to the potential upsets but generally the the field for the PGA Championship will know the course well. Looking at the past history of each golfer at this year’s PGA Championship course course will be important to examine before placing any bets.

Betting on the PGA Championship

The PGA Championship is similar to the other three major golf tournaments in the type of bets that can be wagered. Each type of bet offers a unique way to make money, and it is really up to the bettor to decide which type of bet is the right one for them. Let’s look at a few betting types surrounding the PGA Championship.

Each-Way Betting: This type of bet is generally reserved for only the biggest golf tournaments, and it gives bettors more chances to win at least some money. Most sportsbooks will offer payouts if your golfer finishes inside of the top-four or top-five, with the winnings depending on the place. Picking the winner of a golf tournament is near to impossible, so this gives the bettor some leeway.

Picking the Winner: All golf tournaments will have this option available to bettors. This type of bet is relatively simple: a bet is placed on which golfer will finish the tournament in first place. Odds come out well in advance of the tournament and will stay open until the final round is played. Obviously, there is a better chance to make money the earlier the bet is made.

Total Score: This type of bet is sometimes referred to as over/under, but it is simply betting on the score for a particular golfer. Bettors can bet on a particular round or on the total score for each golfer. Let’s use past winner Brooks Koepka to explain this type of bet:

  • Brooks Koepka Round 1 score: O/U 69.5 Over -110 Under +105
  • Brooks Koepka Total Score: O/U 281.5 Over +105 Under -110

The odds to win a lot of money on this type of bet aren’t great, but racking up several of these type of bets can be beneficial, especially if the golfer you picked to win gets cut by the weekend.

Prop Bets: Prop betting is a very unique types of bet, but there is potential to win some real money with them. Prop bets deal with things that happen on the golf course, but they are very specific. Here are a couple of examples:

  • A player from this pairing will make a birdie on hole 13: Yes +200 No -115
  • Bubba Watson will make at least three birdies in Round 2: Yes +155 No -145

What to Look For in a Sportsbook to bet on the PGA Championship

Online sportsbooks are popping up all over, but they aren’t all the same. It is important to do your research when looking for the right sportsbook to ensure that you are getting the most for your money. You can save time by checking our bookmakers reviews page. Of course, reputation is a big part of finding the right sportsbook, but there are also several other factors to look for:

Bonuses for Deposits: One of the most important things to look for when picking a sportsbook is the bonuses offered for initial deposits. Some sites match your initial deposit, while others will offer “free” bets when you sign up for their website.

Live Betting: Live betting is increasing in popularity and is one of the more exciting and intriguing ways to bet on sports. Not all sportsbooks offer this option, so try to find one that does.

Prop Betting: Not all sporting events will even have prop bets, but for a major golf tournament, finding a sportsbook that offers them is a must.

Ways to Bet: Find a sportsbook that offers several different types of lines for each sporting event. In relation, some sportsbooks have cheaper lines available to bettors which can save you a bunch of money in the long run.

Best Betting Strategies on PGA Championship

Picking the winner of any golf tournament is always a daunting task, but there are still several other ways to make money on the PGA Championship. Personally, betting on the over/under or total scores for each round seems like the soundest bet

This allows a bettor to focus simply on one golfer rather than trying to study the entire field. It’s best to skip the first round and watch how a particular golfer is playing that weekend before betting on a total score for the next few rounds.

The best way to make a large sum of money on golf will always be a “Futures” type of bet, but those are extremely difficult. Fortunately, golf tournaments are routinely played on the same courses, so it is best to look at past performance. Try to find a “longshot” that you feel comfortable with, and put some money down.

Enjoy the PGA Championship, and best of luck with your bets.