USPGA Championship betting guide

Golf Monthly comes up with some top USPGA Championship betting tips ahead of the final major of the year at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky

The world's best players are in Kentucky this week for the 96th USPGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club.

It promises to be an exciting affair, with Rory McIlroy in the form of his life and a host of other top players coming into the event in excellent form.

As it stands, 99 of the world's top 100 will tee it up at Valhalla, but Tiger Woods hasn't yet confirmed if he'll take part after withdrawing from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational during the final round last week.

Valhalla - hosting its third USPGA Championship - is a course made for good ball strikers, with a selection of long par 4s, patches of penal rough and a number of tricky green complexes.

Unsurprisingly, McIlroy leads the USPGA Championship betting, but with the Ulsterman at such short odds, there is plenty of value to be had.

Below, Golf Monthly's Tom Clarke and Nick Bonfield each select a favourite, a mid-ranger and an outsider to consider…

USPGA Championship betting guide - Tom's picks:

Rory McIlroy at 5/1 - The prize for the least imaginative bet of the season goes to… Rory is on fire, not only is he winning, but he is playing as well as he ever has. Anyone who saw the distance and accuracy of his drives at the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational last week will know that he will be in contention again this Sunday... Up to you whether to go each way on him or to just lump on at this short price.

Rickie Fowler at 22/1 – Rickie Fowler has been outstanding this season, with a top-5 finish in all three of the Majors, including finishing as runner-up at the Open and US Open. He also finished inside the top 10 last week at the WGC. He must have a win around the corner and looks nailed on to be top 5 at Valhalla.

Francesco Molinari at 125/1 – I have chosen the short-priced favourite, so I need to pick an outsider to balance it out and in the form of Francesco Molinari I think I have found a decent contender. He is playing solid golf at the moment and finished top 10 in the Players Championship, has made the cut in all the Majors (Best T15th) and his solid long game should mean he is suited to this course.

Recommended USPGA Championship bets:

Rory McIlroy - 20 points to win at 5/1 Rickie Fowler - 3 points each way at 22/1 Francesco Molinari - 1 point each way at 125/1

USPGA Championship betting guide - Nick's picks:

Keegan Bradley at 30/1 - Keegan Bradley is rounding into form at just the right times. He's notched four top-4 finishes in his last six starts - including at last week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational - he's a past USPGA Champion and he ranks 13th on the PGA Tour in Total Driving, 21st in the All-Around and 24th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Jimmy Walker at 55/1 - Jimmy Walker has turned himself into a remarkably consistent performer and his stats make for encouraging reading. He's 29th in Greens in Regulation, 19th in Driving Distance, 7th in Strokes Gained - Putting and 2nd in Birdie Average. What's more, he finished 9th at the US Open and 26th in both the The Open and WGC-Bridgestone, so he's in good form.

Chris Kirk at 150/1 - The quiet American is one of the most underrated players on the PGA Tour. He's currently set to feature in the US Ryder Cup team, he's already won this season and his performances have propelled him to 10th in the FedEx Cup standings. He's only missed one cut all season - a mark of consistency and quality.

Recommended USPGA Championship bets:

Keegan Bradley - 5pts each way at 30/1 Jimmy Walker - 3pts each way at 55/1 Chris Kirk - 2pts each way at 150/1