The best golfers in the World will be heading to Rochester, New York from August 8th - 11th, 2013 for the final Major of the season, the USPGA Championship. Heading up the list of potential titlists this season is Tiger Woods, who will be looking to snap his long streak without a Major title. Woods has produced some sublime form over the course of 2013, heading into the warm up of the WGC Bridgestone International he was bang on top of his game and looking unstoppable again. Comfortable with the putter and at ease off the tee (although accuracy could be improved), Woods is certainly primed to make a run at the USPGA Championship again, a title which he has won four time before in his tremendous career.
But the last time that Woods stood at the top of the pile in a Major was at the US Open back in 2007. But are the stars aligning for him in Rochester? He carded top ten finishes in two of the three prior Majors for the season, and with the titles he has gained under his belt this season, all important confidence boosters for him, can he finally get himself back in the winners circle? Trading as strong favourite, he is being heavily backed to win the 2013 US PGA Championship. He took a share of eleventh away from last year's tournament and given the majestic performance that he produced at Firestone for the Bridgestone International, where he equalled his lowest ever score for a round of professional golf, he really fulfils his role as favourite.
But what about the contenders behind him in the field? There will be interest on Rory McIlroy, who was in sublime form last year on his way to winning the US PGA Championship. It was a record breaking win as well, the largest margin of victory ever in a Major as he beat David Lynn by a massive eight strokes at Kiawah Island. However, 2013 has been a struggle all through for the Northern Irishman, who just can't pull everything together. Even shot selection has been an issue for him at times, and the two time Major winner has been describing his golf as "brain dead". His performance in missing the cut at the Open Championship recently at Muirfield, won't attract too many backers, but if he can dig into the positives of his form this time last year, who knows.
Taking seven of the top nine places on the leader board last season were European golfers. So it may be worth leaning towards a strong European challenge against this time. Notable performances at Kiawah Island came in from Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Jamie Donaldson. Throw into the mix Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Henrik Stenson and you have some serious threats. McDowell, Westwood and Rose have all been enjoying very strong seasons, with Rose shining the brightest when he took the US Open title earlier in the year. Is it too big of an ask to see him land two Majors in a single season? Lee Westwood keeps knocking on the door, but Ian Poulter may be a stronger option. Poulter took a T2 at The Open 2013 and also finishes T3 at last season's PGA Championship as well and could be a good dark horse. But Henrik Stenson, who has been enjoying a tremendous month of golf, and has produced well in the Majors this season, could be fantastic value.
Phil Mickelson will be hoping to make another impact after winning The Open at Muirfield in dramatic fashion. He also has history at the US PGA, winning once before and taking seven other top ten finishes, although he hasn't been in top ten since the 2008, he is carrying good form. Keegan Bradley, who won the 2011 US PGA title could be a big presence in the field. Like Tiger Woods and Henrik Stenson, he put in a great performance at Firestone for the Bridgestone International also. Bradley has a tremendous record at the US PGA in his two prior attempts, winning in his debut in 2011 and the going back for a title defence and coming close to doing that with a T3. There are a strong clutch of American players like Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Stricker, Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner and Matt Kuchar are all worth considering as well for your 2013 US PGA Championship golf betting.
US PGA Championship Golf Odds - US PGA Championship Golf Betting
No comments:
Post a Comment