Golf Australia Editor Brendan James runs his finger over the form guide for the 98th PGA Championship to come up with the players whose stars will shine and those who won’t figure in the final result.

Five to follow…

Dustin Johnson. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images. Dustin Johnson. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

  1. DUSTIN JOHNSON

There’s more on the table for DJ than another major win this week as he has the chance to overtake Jason Day as World No.1. Has maintained his form since winning the US Open last month and comes into the PGA with a T2 at the Canadian Open. Consistently the longest hitter on Tour and ranks 5th for fairways hit, which means only a disastrous week with the putter will see him not contending Sunday.

Sportsbet odds: $9 (favourite).

Henrik Stenson. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images. Henrik Stenson. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

  1. HENRIK STENSON

Remember Royal Troon? It’s only 11 days since the Swede played arguably the greatest final round in a major championship. Every facet of his game was firing on Scotland’s west coast and it’s hard to imagine he’s lost that form in such a short period of time. Is probably the only player who can match Dustin Johnson for length and accuracy from the tee at the moment. Now that he’s won one, perhaps the floodgates have opened.

Sportsbet odds: $15.

Phil Mickelson. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images. Phil Mickelson. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

  1. PHIL MICKELSON

Hasn’t played since the weekend duel with Henrik Stenson at The Open Championship and will be full of expectation this week, having won the PGA at Baltusrol in 2005. At 46, he says he feels rejuvenated and is playing as well as he was ten years ago. Can’t argue with that.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

Sergio Garcia. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images. Sergio Garcia. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

  1. SERGIO GARCIA

The Spaniard has finished T5 at the US Open and The Open in the past month and would follow the trend of maiden major winners (each of the last four majors). This week marks his 73rd start in a major without a win and an incredible 12 top-5 finishes, including four runner-up trophies – two of which have been at the PGA. Has the length to cope with Baltusrol but will rely heavily on his outstanding iron play.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

Adam Scott. PHOTO: Andrew Redington/Getty Images. Adam Scott. PHOTO: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

  1. ADAM SCOTT

His outstanding early season form has not been reproduced during the past two majors but he still leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained from tee-to-green and has one of the best scoring averages of those teeing it up this week. Struggled on the slow greens at Royal Troon but will be more at home on the speedier Baltusrol surfaces.

Sportsbet odds: $31.

Five to forget…

Jason Day. PHOTO: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images. Jason Day. PHOTO: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images.

1.JASON DAY

The defending champion has been fighting with his swing in the past two weeks but he did have a very good weekend at the Canadian Open last week to finish T14 in his title defence. This would normally have me jumping on Day to figure in the final results at Baltusrol, but it was a tired and under-prepared Day who fronted the media on Wednesday. He heads into the first round with only one look at the course, which might prove to be enough but he’s now at the end of a draining three-week stretch and might not have any petrol left in the tank.

Sportsbet odds: $11.

Rory McIlroy. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images. Rory McIlroy. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

  1. RORY MCILROY

Has won the PGA Championship twice before and his form has been solid with a win (Irish Open) and four top-10 finishes since May. One of those top-10s came at The Open when he fought his way onto leaderboard from the wrong side of the draw. BUT…while he leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee, I don’t think his putting (ranked 61st in strokes gained putting) is a standard at the moment that could earn him his fifth major title this week.

Sportsbet odds: $10 (second favourite).

Jordan Spieth. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images. Jordan Spieth. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

  1. JORDAN SPIETH

Sad to say that one of the top players in the world doesn’t quite hit it far enough to be a force this week at Baltusrol. The course is soft under foot and all shots will be all carry. Spieth will be giving the likes of Johnson, Bubba Watson and Adam Scott between 10 to 25 yards head-start on every hole, which means he will have to rely on making a lot of par-saving putts so as to not lose ground on the leaders because it’s hard to see him hitting as many greens in regulation as the long-bombers.

Sportsbet odds: $15.

Zach Johnson. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images. Zach Johnson. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

  1. ZACH JOHNSON

Is probably the only shorter hitter in the field this week who could make it into the top-10 come Sunday afternoon but a win is highly unlikely. Terrific iron player but, like Spieth, will have to wedge it close for four days and putt like a man possessed just to stay in touch.

Sportsbet odds: $61.

 

Marcus Fraser. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images. Marcus Fraser. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

  1. ANY PLAYER WHO DOESN’T HIT THEIR DRIVER 300+ YARDS

Marcus Fraser has openly admitted the course is too long for players like him who don’t hit their drive over 300 yards. Fraser averages about 275 yards (251 metres) and will be approaching most par-4 greens, and all the par-3s, with a long iron or hybrid, which doesn’t offer too many makeable birdie opportunities.