The 100th PGA Championship takes place this week at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. Like last week at Firestone Country Club, Bellerive is a long, tree-lined, par 70, Robert Trent Jones design. Accuracy and length off the tee will contribute a great deal to one’s success. The St. Louis area experienced some of the hottest temperatures back in May and, as a result, the massive Bellerive greens are stressed.
Favorite
Rory McIlroy (13/1) — Two-time PGA champ and a Trent Jones design specialist. McIlroy was in the final pairing on Sunday last week at Firestone and can drive the golf ball better than anyone in the world.
Contender
Jason Day (18/1) — 2015 PGA champion, Day ranks first on Tour in Strokes Gained: Putting and 22nd in Total Driving. He won this season at Quail Hollow, the site of last year’s PGA Championship.
Long Shot
Aaron Wise (200/1) — Byron Nelson winner in May, Wise is 12th in Total Driving and 18th in Putting Average. Born in South Africa — the same whereabouts of both prior major winners at Bellerive, Gary Player and Nick Price.
