The 2012 US PGA Championship promises to be an exciting end to the year’s four golf Majors, boasting the strongest field among the quartet of elite tournaments.
On the world ranking list, the top 108 are all teeing it up along with another 28 big names and 20 American club professionals who came through their own competition to earn the right to take on the big guns.
Europe has not provided the winner of a Major in 2012. Will that change at Kiawah Island or are the Americans set to dominate on home soil again?
Here are the top 5 bets for the 2012 US PGA Championship:
1) Bo Van Pelt each way @ 70/1 with Blue Square (paying 6 places)
Simply one of the most consistent players on the PGA Tour these days, big BVP is a terrific driver whose long game will stand him in good stead on the South Carolina coastal course. Has been knocking on the door and now it’s time to break through.
2) Bubba Watson to beat Webb Simpson @ Evens with Stan James
These two 2012 Major champs have had to adjust to new arrivals in their lives as well as winning one of golf’s biggest prizes this year having both become fathers, albeit for the second time in Simpson’s case. Bubba’s game seems in better shape than Webb’s just now and the flamboyant left-hander should also be more suited to the Kiawah Island test.
3) Dustin Johnson to beat Lee Westwood and Jason Dufner @ 13/8 with Sky Bet
Johnson went close to winning the 2010 US PGA, while Dufner just missed out last year. Both would be fancied to get the better of out-of-sorts Westwood, but DJ’s length off the tee means he must be backed in this three-way match bet on a monstrously long course he should enjoy.
4) Nicolas Colsaerts top continental European each way @ 17/2 with Blue Square
The Belgian Bomber should thrive on this almost 7,800-yard course and is getting used to Major championship golf after being up there in the US Open and the Open. There are 22 runners in this market with Blue Square paying four places and it will be disappointing if Colsaerts does not provide a return.
5) Rafa Cabrera-Bello top Spaniard each way @ 6/1 with Ladbrokes
Certainly the fastest improving player from his country on the world stage, Cabrera-Bello has made rapid strides during 2012 and is gradually becoming accustomed to the rarified air of the Majors. With the likes of Garcia, Jimenez and Quiros struggling, the Dubai Desert Classic champion looks a great bet to finish above his six fellow Spaniards.