The world’s top-ranked golfers and the latest major champions will appear in the PGA Championship as a near-co-community flavour, but neither of them have generated the biggest buzz in the sportsbook heading for Quazlo Hollow’s second major.
Scottie Scheffler (+450) is popular for winning the PGA Championship and barely edging Rory McIlroy (+475) at the top spot in ESPN BET.
McIlroy opened at +900 and became a temporary favorite at +450, following his victory at Masters to complete his career grand slam. But Schaeffler’s first victory of the season at CJ Cup Byron Nelson and Heavy Money Action, which favors the 28-year-old to win the third major title, including 21.5% of the handle for ESPN BET, has swapped odds in recent weeks.
That said, neither Schaeffler nor McIlroy have caused the biggest headaches in the sportsbook this week. According to ESPN BET, that honor belongs to Bryson Dedanbeau.
Following his excellent form run with a top five finish at Augusta National and three top fives at LIV Golf, Deccanbo won the bet second in ESPN BET, dropping as BetMGM’s biggest responsibility for moving him from +2200 to his current position.
“Now I feel the world is in Deccanbo,” Anthony Saleroli, lead golf trader at Caesars Sportsbook, told ESPN. “Anyone who reads Quail Hollow, it fits his game. It’s a bomber course.”
Johnny Avero, sportsbook director at DraftKings, also said there was a key action in which the 31-year-old leads after the first round.
Dechambeau is not the only golfer with the right course, unlike some majors, and has a lot of data to back it up. Because Quail Hollow is one of the rare major courses that host PGA tour events every year.
He hasn’t gotten the same type of responsibility as Deccanbo, but McIlroy still attracts important actions given his status as Quail Hollow’s four-time regular season tournament winner. Avello points out that McIlroy is raising a lot of money at DraftKings, and says he was surprised considering the very short price.
Other players who enjoyed recent regular season success on this course include Xander Schauffele (+2000), Jason Day (+9000), Wyndham Clark (110-1), and Max Homa (125-1).
Of course, there is Justin Thomas (+1600). Justin Thomas won the PGA Championship in 2017 when he last played for Cool Hollow. He is ranked fourth in both the odds board and bet/handle rankings on ESPN BET.