THE final Major of the season start on Thursday and William Hill are reporting solid support for Tiger Woods to win the USPGA at 9-2.
You might get 5-1 with some bookies but there are a number of people who think he could run away with it after his Bridgestone Invitational triumph by seven shots last weekend.
Hills offer 10-3 Woods wins by four or more shots. I'm having a small wager on him and backing a couple of each-way shots with Ladbrokes who go six places and will return losing outright bets if Woods or Open champion Phil Mickelson win.
I think it's asking a lot of Mickelson to win back-to-back Majors but another American who could compete is Brandt Snedeker. The laidback ace had one bad round at Muirfield then returned to the States to win the following weekend.
He struggled a bit last week at Akron, finishing third, but has the game and mentality to do well on an Oak Hill course that demands long and accurate and driving as well as patience. It's tough but fair. Snedeker is sixth favourite at a best 30-1 with Paddy Power and I'll be betting him each way.
My second each-way pick is German star Martin Kaymer who was ninth at Akron last week despite shooting a dreadful opening 74. The fact he battled back and into the top 10 shows that the former world No.1 is returning to his best form.
At 66-1 with Coral the 2010 champion looks worth an each-way punt.
Woods and Hunter Mahan are the two best-backed contenders at Hills who have taken £30,000 wager on the world No.1 at 9-2 and a £6000 bet on Mahan at 33-1.
The only other six-figure loser for Hills is Lee Westwood whose legion of fans continue to blindly back him at 28-1.
Another former world No.1 Rory McIlroy isn't being backed to win – but to miss the cut. That's remarkable for a defending champion but it shows how fast downhill his game has gone.
I'm sure the Irishman will recover from the slump and return to the world No.1 slot in the future but for now his struggles are continuing with a 27th-placed finish last weekend.
Mcllroy is 33-1 with Coral and 5-2 at William Hill to miss the cut.
If you're backing each-way make remember Betfred are offering seven places (most are going six) but their prices may be shorter as a result.
Recommended Bets
Woods
(9-2, William Hill)
Snedeker ew
(30-1, Paddy Power)
Kaymer ew
(66-1, Coral)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Lots of markets available and going to put up some selections in different markets.
E/W selections (7 places)
Bradley 28/1
Kuchur 33/1
Mahan 33/1
(Odds Betfred)
TOP 10
Snedeker 11/4
Spieth 8/1
Sterne 10/1
Weekley 16/1
(Odds by Skybet)
TO MISS THE CUT
McIIroy 5/2
Donald 11/4
Matsuyama was probably unknown to most people, but he was my tip to be top Asian at the open and duly obliged at odds of 13/2. He is now 7/4 to repeat at the PGA, and whilst I think he could do it again the odds don’t appeal. Instead I’m looking at the GB & Ireland market and a guy who almost made my outright selection, GMac could go close this week to adding another Major and even closer in this market.
Golf is such a tough sport to predict the outright winner but the 3 balls always gives value, and I’ve picked 2 selections in this market.
TOP GB & IRELAND
MCDOWELL 10/1 various
3 BALL SELECTIONS
KAYMER 9/5
ZACH JOHNSON 7/5
Good luck if your having a bet
Rory McIlroy
Angel Cabrera
Harris English
Ernie Els
Peter Hanson
Bubba Watson
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano
Mr F
Is there a competition for the USPGA?
Austin, I think admin are planning to do one after the cut.
I have gone with:
Martin Kaymer
Adam Scott
Henrik Stenson
Justin Rose
Jason Dufner
Bruce …those picks are looking amazing after 2 rounds!