Spieth, Sungjae I’m among the top picks for winning the PGA championship

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ROCHESTER, NY – Who doesn’t love longshots and dark horses?

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With the PGA Championship kicking off at Oak Hill Thursday, I’m sure you already know what you’re going to be choosing between big talent like Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and the suddenly strong and quiet Rory McIlroy.

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So we’re not here to talk about these guys. We are here for players with odds higher than 35/1 (or +3500).

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When one of these legends wins and you bet on them, you never tire of telling this story. Like then, I had Ernie Els at 40/1 to win the 2012 Open Championship, based on a tip from his longtime caddie Ricci Roberts, when the taps dried up on the 19th hole at Wentworth one long evening. Look, I’ll tell you today!

Enough small talk, here are my longshot picks for the 105th PGA Championship:

Sungjae Im 36/1 (+3600)

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These first couple of guys may not be all that big players but thanks to some friendly odds they fit the bill. I’m a ball hitter and before his first PGA Tour win, I bet him every week until he broke. It’s probably worth it now for the main subjects. All he’s accomplished lately is top-ten finishes in his last two PGA Tour stops (both high-profile events) and a win at home in Korea last week. There aren’t many players on the field who are familiar with Oak Hill, but I simplify the courses a lot by playing fairway, green, fairway, green, fairway, green until it’s time for lunch.

Jordan Spieth 36/1 (+3600)

I know what you’re thinking. Yes, he has a wrist injury and no, we’re not sure if he’ll make it through the week, but that’s why we have these odds. He needs the PGA Championship to complete the grand slam of his career, and perhaps nothing distracts you from pressure more than the pain, so let’s ride the pain train. This week features smaller greens that require short playing spells, so buckle up and enjoy the mayhem of betting on golf’s golden boy.

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Rickie Fowler 55/1 (+5500)

Last week we got Jason Day’s feel-good comeback story, so wouldn’t that be something to pair with the warm and fluffy feelings back-to-back? For the record, that’s a terrible reason to bet on anyone, but there’s a case for Fowler. He has made the top 17 in four consecutive starts since the Players Championship two months ago. Fowler is seventh in strikes-gain approach, 16th in SG: Tee-to-Green and top-40 in putting this season. I was with TPC Sawgrass in 2015 and watched him hit a six-under on his last six holes and then birdie twice more on the island green in the playoff to win. So there is something magical about the Nastio mustache. A later major is not excluded.