Our Post golf experts give their predictions for this week’s PGA Championship at Bethpage Black:
George Willis
Brooks Koepka: It’s hard to pick against someone who thinks winning majors is easy. He also has the power and touch needed for what should be a soggy first two rounds.
Dustin Johnson: You figured DJ would have multiple major wins by now. With a good putting week, the world’s No. 1 player could add to his 2016 U.S. Open win.
Francesco Molinari: Nobody hits it straighter than the reigning British Open champion. The Italian will look to contend at another major.
Jon Rahm: It’s going to happen sooner rather than later, and the Spaniard has the power game to claim his first major here.
Tony Finau: He got a taste of being in major contention at the Masters. It should serve him well going into the weekend at Bethpage.
Mark Cannizzaro
Rory McIlroy: Both his form (eight top-10s in 10 events this year, including a win at The Players) and the course conditions (wet and long with flat greens) point to McIlroy ending his stretch of 15 major championship starts without a title.
Brooks Koepka: With three major championship wins in a two-plus years and a long course, the long-bombing and confident Koepka is an obvious choice to be a factor.
Dustin Johnson: His length and demeanor are significant strengths at any major championship — particularly at Bethpage.
Gary Woodland: He doesn’t have a great history at majors, but he did tie for sixth at last year’s PGA and is one of the longest players on Tour.
Jon Rahm: His time to win a major seems to be getting closer. Rahm, too, is a long hitter, which is obviously a common thread to these picks.
Brett Cyrgalis
Rory McIlroy: Leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee, the four-time major winner and two-time PGA champ is primed for the Black’s length and rough.
Dustin Johnson: The bomber knows its about time for major championship No. 2, and a difficult and long course like Bethpage won’t bother him.
Tommy Fleetwood: The Englishman is primed for a major championship, and his terrific iron play could prove pivotal in saving pars and setting up birdies.
Henrik Stenson: The towering Swede can take advantage of his strength (ball-striking) and minimize his weakness (putting) on the Black.
Rickie Fowler: A master at finishing high in majors without winning, Fowler will likely have the support of the New York fans to give him an edge.
