“Bear Bets” are real wagers that Chris “The Bear” Fallica is actually making.
Like every golf junkie out there, I’m pretty excited about the PGA Championship.Â
And between the latest with LIV and some golfers still trying to get back to their true form after injuries, this week’s tournament should be interesting and fun to watch.
Here’s where I’m putting my money.
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The defending champion has a great chance to repeat, as he comes in off three straight runner-up finishes. Hes so good that only one player has finished in front of him the last three tourneys. In his six PGA appearances, hes got five top 10 finishes. In his last 13 majors, only twice has he been out of the top 10. There really is no need to roll off any other stat superlatives. If hes not there on Sunday, something has gone very wrong.Â
PICK: Scottie Scheffler (-175) Top 10 including ties
PICK: Scottie Scheffler (+480) to win
There’s so much drama surrounding LIV right now, and I cant help but wonder if that was weighing on his mind at the Masters when he missed the cut. Now that everything is pretty much out in the open, Id expect Bryson to play better this week, especially given hes done so well on PGA courses with three straight top-four finishes. Among the course comps this week for Aronimink are Pinehurst No. 2 and Winged Foot â the two courses at which Bryson won his two U.S. Opens. If you listen to Rory McIlroy, this PGA very much has a “hit it as far as you can and then figure it out feel.” That’s exactly how DeChambeau won at Winged Foot. Ill take him against Aberg who, in his six non-Masters majors, has missed the cut four times.Â
PICK: Bryson DeChambeau (+220) Top 10 including ties
PICK: Bryson DeChambeau (+2100) to winÂ
PICK: Bryson DeChambeau (+110) vs. Ludvig Ã
berg
Quail Hollow wasnt great for him last week, but the last time Fitzpatrick finished outside the top 20 at Bay Hill, he ripped off finishes of 2-1-18-1-1 in his next five starts. Hes become one of the best and most consistent players on tour and again should post another solid finish. Unlike DeChambeau â who I think is truly in a better place in his mind with post-LIV plans â I don’t get the same feeling with Jon Rahm. Hes been so well-spoken the last couple of weeks in light of everything and I get the sense he realizes he torpedoed his image somewhat, as well as his career, with the move to LIV. I dont know what to expect from him this week, but at a nice plus-price, Im willing to take Fitz in this head-to-head.
PICK: Matt Fitzpatrick (-115) Top 20 including ties
PICK: Matt Fitzpatrick (+150) vs. Jon Rahm
JT has struggled the last few years in part to various injuries. Since winning the 2022 PGA, hes got one top-30 finish, and hes missed the cut in seven of his last 13 majors. I wonder if this type of course â where he won’t be the longest hitter out there and hes still not the most accurate either â might put him at a disadvantage here. I know he played well at Quail Hollow, but I have my doubts this week. I love Brooks Koepka in this head-to-head as Koepka has played pretty well since his return to the PGA Tour.Â
PICK: Justin Thomas (+198) to miss cut
PICK: Brooks Koepka (+100) vs. Justin Thomas
Morikawa didnt play well at Doral at all and couldn’t give it a go l
