Golf Betting Trends: What They Can Teach You About PGA Championship Contest Picks

When it comes to fantasy contests for the PGA Championship—especially Tiers and One & Done formats on Splash Sports—knowing the betting board can be just as valuable as knowing the course. While you’re not placing wagers, the odds reflect insights into recent form, course fit, and public sentiment. That information can help you spot both safe plays and high-upside sleepers as you build lineups for Quail Hollow, the host of this year’s PGA Championship.

*Odds subject to change

The Favorites Are Earning It

The top two names on the board—Scottie Scheffler (+450) and Rory McIlroy (+500)—aren’t just there because of reputation. Scheffler has been nearly automatic in 2025, with multiple wins and weekly top-10s. While he hasn’t yet won a PGA Championship, he finished T2 in 2023 and has been trending well in majors.

Rory, meanwhile, comes into the PGA Championship on a white-hot streak. He's won two Wanamaker trophies, and he’s fresh off back-to-back T20s at the Zurich Classic and Truist Championship. When you add in his victory at the Masters, those are signs that he’s peaking at the right time. In Tiers contests, fading either player is risky. And if you’ve saved one of them for your One & Done lineup, this is the kind of week where using them makes sense.

Bryson’s Odds Are Climbing—and Deservedly So

Bryson DeChambeau (+1100) might surprise some as the third-favorite, but the number reflects how well he’s been playing. He finished T5 at the Masters and has posted strong results on LIV this season. More importantly, he’s finished T4 or better in three of his last four PGA Championships.

He may be stuck in Tier 1 with the rest of the elite, but Bryson could be a top leverage play. And in One & Done formats, he’s a high-upside option with the potential to separate your entry from the crowd.

The Crowded Contenders Tier

From Justin Thomas (+1800) to Viktor Hovland (+4000), the betting board is full of major winners and perennial contenders. That group includes Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, and others—players who all have win equity but also question marks.

This is where Tier-based contests get tricky. You might have to choose between several former major winners in the same group. Morikawa won this event in 2020. Koepka has taken the Wanamaker Trophy home three times. Rahm and Schauffele have elite ball-striking profiles and are always in the mix. Use recent form and course fit at Quail Hollow to break the ties.

Undervalued Course Fits in the Middle

In the +3300 to +5000 range, players like Joaquin Niemann, Hideki Matsuyama, Tommy Fleetwood, and Shane Lowry stand out as potential fits for Quail Hollow’s demanding setup. The course has long rewarded strong iron play, resilience off the tee, and patience—traits all of these players possess.

Fleetwood has had a strong spring with multiple top-10s, and Matsuyama has a win this season. Niemann continues to rack up wins on LIV, and Lowry's short game and major experience make him an ideal Tier 3 flier.

Longshots with Real Fantasy Value

Digging deeper into the odds board reveals fantasy value in players like Sepp Straka (+5000), Corey Conners (+6600), and Akshay Bhatia (+9000). These aren’t household picks, but they’ve shown they can score—and make cuts—in major setups. Straka has a knack for surprising on tough courses, and Bhatia’s confidence and shot-making could thrive if conditions stay firm.

Use these players to differentiate your Tiers lineups or swing for upside in One & Done if you’re looking to make a move on the leaderboard.

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As if the PGA Championship drama wasn’t enough, Splash Sports is offering something truly wild:
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Here’s what’s on the line:

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✈️ $1,000 cash toward travel & lodging

🎟️ Each contest entry = one chance to win (enter as many times as the limits allow)

🗓️ Drawing takes place after the U.S. Open (June 15–16)

Already making picks? Lock them in now and let your fantasy lineup work double-duty toward a once-in-a-lifetime experience.