It’s the second major on the 2022 golfing calendar as the world’s golfing elite gather for the US PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The 156 field, with the top 70 including ties making the cut, will all be playing for a share of the $12m prize purse with the winner collecting the PGA Championship major title and also the winner’s cheque for a cool $2.16m.
Phil Mickelson will not be returning to Oklahoma to defend his crown this year. The two-time PGA and six-time major champion has paid a heavy price for recent remarks surrounding this Saudi breakaway carry on and remains in the
Meanwhile, his old nemesis Tiger Woods will be in attendance at Southern Hills. Tiger won this event the last time it was played here in 2007 and will be looking to make it his 16th major. I’d never rule him out of any tournament, especially a major on a track where he has a proven record unlike the remainder of this field. Tiger is available at 75/1 Bet365.
Before I continue with the PGA Championship preview I just want to thank everyone yet again for all the nice messages, DMs etc after we singled out yet another winner last weekend. It came in the shape of Sam Horsfield at 22/1, winning the Soudal Open in Belgium.
Meanwhile, over on the PGA Tour, our 5pts Super Banker Nap record remains in tact with a 100% strike rate after Jason Day beat Kevin Kisner after only 36 holes with Kisner failing to make the cut.
Well done to everyone who collected, as always I’m just so glad that I can help. That’s our fifth outright winner already this year with a few more that could have and should have been. We were over £3,500 in profit last year with our golf tips and it’s looking good so far in 2022 so long may it continue.
You can follow me on Twitter so you never miss out @TheCaddy18.
So let’s get on with this weeks US PGA Championship preview.
Southern Hills will be playing 7,556 yards long this week, it’s a par 70, parkland lay out where accuracy and precision as well as sublime scrambling will be key to any success.
The weather is forecast to be mostly sunny and very warm on Thursday & Friday with wind expected to peak at around 20mph, enough to cause concern. The weekend should see the best of the weather especially Sunday’s final round where breezes will ease with hot and sunny conditions.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf & Sky Sports Main Event with live coverage starting at 1pm on Thursday afternoon.
So let’s move on with some selections for this weeks PGA Championship.
Hideki Matsuyama
For my first and main selection at Southern Hills Country Club I’m going to single out Hideki Matsuyama 30/1 EW SportNation.
The 30 year old from Sendai, Japan has only played in ten events this year but has already won when scooping the Sony Open in Hawaii.
He has finished inside the Top 20 at six of those events including the victory mentioned above and 3rd last weekend at the AT&T Byron Nelson.
Hideki was a very impressive 14th when defending his Masters title at Augusta in April so he’s definitely eyeing up another major soon.
Matsuyama has three victories in just over 12 months including a major when winning The Masters in 2021, the other victory being the Zozo Championship. He now has nine victories in the bag outside of Japan and will be hitting double figures sooner rather than later so ignore Hideki at your pearl.
If that’s not enough to tempt you then here’s some stats and figures that could prove conclusive. Matsuyama is currently ranked 6th on the PGA Tour SG Approach play, 7th for Greens in Regulation and 22nd in Scrambling. These are all the key ingredients needed to provide that perfect recipe for success around Southern Hills and it could well be Hideki Matsuyama who’s turning up the gas on his way to victory at the US PGA championship in Tulsa.
Jordan Speith
For my next selection I’m going to advise Jordan Speith 18/1 EW 1-9 places William Hill.
The 28 year old from Dallas, Texas is all over my radar at the moment and it’s no wonder. With a victory and a runners-up place in his last two starts, Jordan Speith is producing sublime golf at the moment and it could be a case of perfect timing for the World number 8.
He was runner up last weekend at the AT&T Byron Nelson and before that he collected yet another PGA crown when victorious at the RBC Heritage.
It’s remarkable to think at only 28 years old this kid is actually chasing the career grand slam in the world of golf this weekend.
He’s won every other major but the one that eludes him up until now is the US PGA Championship. I’ve been watching this wonder kid closely recently and it’s the Jordan Speith of old that I’m witnessing.
When this talented kid is firing on all cylinders then he’s simply unstoppable. Jordan’s stats are also improving rapidly, he’s now ranked 12th on the PGA Tour SG Tee to Green, 18th SG Around the Green, 11th Going for the Green and 19th for Birdie attempts or better.
This lay out is all set up for Jordan’s game and if he arrives with the same attitude that’s seen him finish 1st & 2nd over consecutive weeks then he could well be on his way to collecting that elusive career grand slam. Jordan Speith could go down in the history books at Southern Hills this weekend, truly remarkable when you think he still has his whole career ahead of him.
Will Zalatoris
For my next pick I’m going to point you in the direction of Will Zalatoris 40/1 EW SportNation.
The 25 year old from San Francisco, California is another who has been attracting my attention and I’m willing to forget the missed cut last time out at the Byron Nelson.
Zalatoris has played eight tournaments this year and has finished inside the Top 10 on half of those occasions. The one that sticks out the most was probably 6th at The Masters in April but this talented kid was also runner up this year when beaten by Luke List in a play off at the Farmers Insurance.
Other notable finishes in 2022 include T5th at the WGC Dell Technologies Matchplay and T6th at The American Express. Zalatoris will win a major in the not too distant future, I’m sure about that and it could happen as soon as this weekend.
It sounds kinda crazy, tipping Zalatoris to win a major considering he hasn’t even won on the PGA Tour as of yet, he is still seeking that maiden title. However, it’s not for the lack of trying, with so many near misses including four Top 10 finishes at majors including runner up at The Masters in 2021, this could be a magical Sunday for Zalatoris, not only his way to collecting his maiden PGA crown but a major one at that.
Tiger to miss the cut
For my final selection it’s a change from the customary matchbet. For the NAP this week I’m going to suggest that Tiger Woods as much as it hurts, he could be struggling to make the the cut.
After an amazing return from a car accident at The Masters in April where Augusta is magical to Tiger, Southern Hills has been totally redesigned since Tiger’s major victory 2007 and it may be just too much considering he’s still recovering from major leg injuries. Tiger Woods to miss the cut 5/4 Nap Bet365.
USPGA Tips
- Hideki Matsuyama 30/1 EW SportNation.
- Jordan Speith 18/1 EW William Hill.
- Will Zalatoris 40/1 EW SportNation.
- Tiger Woods to miss the cut 5/4 Nap Bet365.
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