Bethpage Black Isn’t the Only Challenge at the Upcoming PGA Championship

No longer “Glory’s Last Shot,” the PGA Championship is three months earlier on the schedule this year!  And for the first time ever, it’s being played at Bethpage Black, one of the most challenging courses in the world and is shaping up to be a great Major!  Long Island’s challenging Black Course is green, vibrant, and ever daunting, and even if the trees haven’t quite gotten all of their spring leaves, play is guaranteed to be a challenge. As demanding as the course is, it’s nothing compared to the field of competitors lined up to take their shot at taking home the Wanamaker Trophy.

Making headlines is the top player grouping, which at the PGA Championship has traditionally consisted of the previous three Majors winners. This year sees Tiger Woods coming off his Masters win, Brooks Koepka who won the 2018 PGA Championship just last August, and Francesco Molinari who took the Open Championship at Carnoustie last July, all in the same flight together. These great golfers have some serious history together…just a few weeks ago at the Masters they all finished within 2 strokes of each other, with Woods on top of the leaderboard, Koepka in three-way T2 (along with Xander Schauffele and Dustin Johnson) just a stroke behind, and Molinari hot on their heels one stroke away from Brooks!

Outside of the Masters Tournament, Woods and Koepka also have history at the PGA Championship – specifically from last year! Tiger charged at Koepka all day in the final round, but Brooks held his cool and finished two strokes ahead of Woods, sealing the deal for his third Major win of his career!

Heading into the PGA Championship, Woods is well rested after his win in Augusta, Koepka is eyeing his fourth Major win before turning 30 years old, and Molinari is a consistent competitor who has proven his worth with a Major championship win of his own last summer! Odds-makers have Tiger as the favorite at 17:1, but the Sportsline model that’s predicted the outcome of several tournaments this year and at least four recent Majors doesn’t even put Woods in the top 5! Of course, another player could easily outshine all these great players and take the top prize, but we’ll have to wait and see!