US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

It is only five years since RORY MCILROY won the WGC Match Play at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park, venue for this week’s PGA Championship. Back then, the Northern Irishman was the World No.1 and No.1 seed for the event and his play lived up to both ranking positions. Now ranked World No.3, he doesn’t have a top-10 in five starts after the COVID-19 shutdown but his 69.016 scoring average has him ranked No.3 on the PGA Tour and is among the top-5 in most of the tee-to-green stats. If he can raise the standard of his short game, he will threaten to win his third PGA title and fifth major championship – his first in six years.

Sportsbet odds: $14.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

With all the craziness that is 2020 it wouldn’t surprise if a surprise winner took home the first major of the year. But I am sticking with the big guns and going with ADAM SCOTT here. Scott would be something of a shock victor having not played tournament golf since the cancelled Players championship, however, with a win early this year and plenty of experience at TPC Harding Park one can hope. Scott’s two WGC events here weren’t spectacular and he would rather forget the 2009 Presidents Cup, but things are different at the majors, and I expect scoring to be tough and an elite ball striker like the Queenslander to be in the mix.

Sportsbet odds: $46.

RELATED: US PGA Championship preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Very tempted to back Brooks Koepka – and I’m sure many people will – but I really like the chances of former champ JASON DAY. The Ohio-based Queenslander is experiencing a mini resurgence and has plenty to prove after parting ways with lifelong coach Colin Swatton. Day hasn’t missed the top-25 at this event since 2012 and has added two top-10s (including that runner-up to Jimmy Walker in 2016) since his victory in 2015.

Sportsbet odds: $34.

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

I’m sticking with TOMMY FLEETWOOD this week after a terrific final round in Memphis, He was at less than his best over the opening three days but a final round 65 was brilliant and, importantly, bettered by only one player on the day. Majors are always hard to pick but it would be a surprise if the Englishman wasn’t part of the story Sunday afternoon.

Sportsbet odds: $41.

EUROPEAN TOUR - ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Two top-10 finishes in his past three starts as THOMAS DETRY primed for a victory. His T8 at the Austrian Open last month was five shots behind the winner and he could lay blame at 10 bogies and two doubles during the week. There were plenty of birdies though, and he replicated this last week at the Hero Open where he was runner-up. But, again, there were too many bogies with some coming easy. If he can minimise the bogies this week, he’ll breakthrough for his first European Tour win.

Sportsbet odds: $11.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

Among the best players without a major on their resume, LEE WESTWOOD passed up his US PGA Championship start this week and will want to play well here. Westwood took a week off after hosting the European Tour’s return at Close Hose and finishing a disappointing 70th but will be better for the start. The Englishman remains an impressive ball striker and with his accuracy off the tee, should fare much better this week if the putter and sometimes suspect chipping behave.

Sportsbet odds: $13.

RELATED: English Championship preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Hard to ignore the form of young gun RASMUS HOJGAARD, who has finished second and T6th in his two most recent starts. The 19-year-old Dane knows how to win and will be thereabouts again this week.

Sportsbet odds: $14.

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

While most of the game’s biggest names will be in California there will be a stronger than normal field at the opposing event in Europe with several top stars staying home because of the virus. That said, last week’s runner-up THOMAS DETRY will be the one to watch at the English Open. The Belgian was just one behind the red hot Sam Horsfield last week but three ahead of next best on the leaderboard and is about due to claim a first solo title on the big stage.

Sportsbet odds: $11.

LPGA TOUR - MARATHON CLASSIC

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

LEXI THOMPSON was a little rusty when the LPGA returned last week. Tee-to-green, she got better as the 54-hole event rolled on but her putting was average. I expect her return to Highland Meadows, where she was runner-up last year and in 2017, will provide some confidence that she can post some low scores and threaten for the title again.

Sportsbet odds: $15.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

MINJEE LEE has two top-25s at this event from two starts, including a T19 last year, and arrives full of confidence after taking third on her own last week at the LPGA’s return. The West Australian appeared fresh after a long break from tournament golf last week in Toledo and I fully expect her to be right in the mix here and potentially add another victory to her career total, with the four round event likely to suit her a little better than last week’s 54-holes.

Sportsbet odds: $8.50.

RELATED: Marathon Classic preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Two-time runner-up LEXI THOMPSON (2019 & 2017) clearly enjoys the layout at Highland Meadows. The American tied for third place here in 2013 and is in good enough form – posting shares of 16th, 15th and 7th so far this year – to suggest she will find herself in contention once again.

Sportsbet odds: $15.

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

Minjee Lee was impressive at Inverness but it is two time previous Marathon Classic winner LYDIA KO that might surprise this week. A second round 80 last week was hopefully a blip on the comeback trail and good memories – like victories in 2014 and 2016 – can be a powerful force in golf.

Sportsbet odds: $41.

2020 RESULTS

So far our so-called experts have combined to tip 10 winners in 2020, with 45 of their picks recording top-10 finishes that week and a best return of $29 for Adam Scott to win the Genesis Invitational (tipped by Brendan James and Jimmy Emanuel).