PGA Odds
PGA Championship 2021: Rory McIlroy new favorite at Kiawah after Quail Hollow win
Maddie Meyer
Rory McIlroy snapped a mini-slump by capturing the Wells Fargo Championship. Given McIlroy’s track record at Quail Hollow, the win is not necessarily a surprise. But judging by his leap in the latest odds for the PGA Championship, it’s clear the public believes Rory’s performance in Charlotte was a precursor of what’s to come.
With the world’s best a week away from descending upon Kiawah Island, McIlroy is the new favorite to grab the Wanamaker at 10-1, according to William Hill Sportsbook.
McIlroy, 32, has won the PGA Championship twice in his career, most notably the last time the tournament was played at Kiawah’s Ocean Course in 2012. The Ulsterman’s triumph at Valhalla in 2014 also serves as his last major victory. In his six PGA starts since Louisville, McIlroy’s best finish is a T-8 at Bethpage in 2019. Prior to Quail Hollow, most sportsbooks had McIlroy in the 18/1-16/1 range, with those numbers slightly dropping after McIlroy’s encouraging opening rounds.
World No. 1 and South Carolina native Dustin Johnson is now second in William Hill’s odds at 12/1. Speaking of slumps, Johnson hasn't been his historically dominant self since his 2020 Masters breakthrough with just one top-20 finish in his past six outings. The PGA should offer some respite, as Johnson has finished runner-up at the past two PGA Championships. Also at 12/1 is Jon Rahm, who is coming off his first missed cut in over 11 months. Rahm had a strong Sunday finish at the Masters last month to finish T-5 at Augusta National but is still looking for his first major win.
Rounding out the favorites are former PGA champ Justin Thomas and reigning U.S. Open champ Bryson DeChambeau (14/1), with Jordan Spieth—needing the PGA to complete the career Grand Slam—and Xander Schauffele at 16/1. Other notables include two-time PGA champ Brooks Koepka (20/1), last year’s PGA champ Collin Morikawa (22/1), Masters champ Hideki Matsuyama (25/1) and Viktor Hovland (28/1).
The 2021 PGA Championship begins May 20.