Betting tips / Brad Thompson / 09 August 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Brad Thompson wraps up the rest of the field in his series on the US PGA.

Rory McIlroy ($12.5 Betfair - $11 TAB) gets to a pretty nice price in what is a much more suitable assignment than the British Open, but, I'm not convinced this course is going to suit his all-out approach. The winner is likely to be a good thinker of his way around the course, something the Northern Irishman still lacks the ability to do. Of course, a second major for the year to McIlroy wouldn't completely shock. If his swashbuckling style comes off and he doesn't rack up too many big numbers from poor decisions, he could blow the field away again.

Phil Mickelson ($25 Betfair - $19 TAB) can' t be discounted after a surprising performance at the Open. The lefty has experience on his side and is always thereabouts in the big ones. The Americans haven't had much joy of late in the majors, but Mickelson might be the man to restore some pride. The $25 on Betfair is a nice price.

Another genuine hope for the Americans is Dustin Johnson ($28 Betfair - $21 TAB) who has really emerged on the scene at the majors. The guy is on fire and has the temperament to really push for a major title. He has been in some super positions to win that first major but hasn't been able to seal the deal. He can't be left out of calculations, simply because he hits so many greens in regulation, which is exactly what the winner of the USPGA will do. He is also a great driver of the ball, another handy asset for this tournament.

Lee Westwood ($15.5 Betfair - $14 TAB) should win a major one day. I don't think it will be at the USPGA, however. I think he has under the odds in a strong field of golfers who are in-form and have fewer convictions in majors than Westwood. His record (other than the tie for third in 2009) isn't great at this event.

If you like the prospect of Tiger Woods ($26 Betfair - $14 TAB) returning to the winners' circle immediately, then backing him on Betfair, where he is almost double the quote on offer with the TAB, is the only way to go. Who would have thought Tiger would be at $26 in a major? The former world No.1 returned with an encouraging 37th at the WGC Bridgestone, but it's hard to trust his game is in good enough order for a major just yet. If you back him, you'll be praying his driver is on song. That's where his fate will be decided. I can't entertain him as a betting proposition here, so perhaps it's one for the Betfair layers, but could you ever fully write off the champ?

Rickie Fowler ($32 Betfair - $26 TAB) is a serious talent. Colourfully dressed, but more importantly a crafty golfer capable of rushing up the leader-board in the USPGA, he is getting closer to a major win every time he steps out in a tournament. He played great at the British Open,and again was very good in Akron at the Bridgestone.

I've overlooked Steve Stricker and Luke Donald. Stricker is in undeniable form, with a hot putter and sound all-round game, but this is a tough field with plenty of red-hot players I'd prefer to have money on. Simply put, Donald just doesn't look up to winning a major and once more is well under the odds. Martin Kaymer is in the same basket - he hasn't really looked like adding another major to his resume, and although this course may be his cup of tea, there are a few other of his rivals I'd prefer to back.

And now the moment you've all been waiting for...

BETTING ADVICE
This looks the tournament for Adam Scott ($24). He is in arguably the best form of his career and this is a course where his accuracy will be a huge advantage. Let's just hope his putting stays sound when the pressure comes on.

Geoff Ogilvy could sneak into the top-10 without surprising. He has proven that he loves the pressure cooker environment of the majors, and again it's a course which should suit.

Have something on Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, too, and make them your second best result.

Also consider dropping a couple of small saver bets on Jason Day and Phil Mickelson.

Layers could have a bit of fun by opposing Tiger Woods - it would be phenomenal if he even featured on the leaderboard here.