Scottie Scheffler entered the CJ Cup Byron Nelson as a strong favorite, and it quickly became clear why. The world’s top-ranked player dominated the competition, leading to an impressive eight-stroke victory, his inaugural win of the season. With just one tournament remaining before the 2025 PGA Championship kicks off on May 15 at Quail Hollow, Scheffler is riding high alongside Masters champion Rory McIlroy at odds of 5-1. Closely trailing them is Bryson DeChambeau at 10-1, eager to bounce back after a disappointing finish at Augusta.
Other prominent contenders for the 2025 PGA Championship include Ludvig Aberg (12-1), Xander Schauffele (12-1), and Collin Morikawa (14-1). Before making your own picks for the 2025 PGA Championship or selecting players for DFS on FanDuel, DraftKings, or PrizePicks, be sure to check out early predictions and the projected leaderboard by SportsLine’s proven model.
The proprietary model, established by DFS expert Mike McClure, has been exceptionally successful since the PGA Tour resumed in June 2020, racking up nearly $9,000 in profit on its best bets.
This model has also been successful in predicting multiple majors, accurately calling 14 events including the 2025 Masters—the fourth in a row—and last year’s PGA Championship and U.S. Open. Those who have followed its sports betting recommendations have seen substantial returns on investment through platforms like betting apps, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics.
As the 2025 PGA Championship lineup solidifies, SportsLine has simulated the tournament 10,000 times, yielding some surprising results. Check out SportsLine to see the projected leaderboard.
2025 PGA Championship Predictions
One unexpected call by the model is that Xander Schauffele, the defending champion and a two-time major winner, struggles to secure a top-10 finish. Despite his impressive nine career wins on the PGA Tour and having made the cut in 62 consecutive tournaments, a record streak since Tiger Woods’ remarkable 142-straight from 1998 to 2005, Schauffele has performed poorly this season, managing only a single top-10 finish following a rib injury.
He faces significant challenges with his putting, ranking poorly in various statistics related to putting performance. Schauffele’s metrics show troubling rankings in several putting categories, making him a less favorable option for winning.
In contrast, Joaquin Niemann, a 35-1 underdog, emerges as a strong contender. Having achieved five professional victories since February 2024, including three in the current year, Niemann has the momentum needed to potentially secure his first major title. His recent performances suggest significant progress, although breaking through at a major has eluded him thus far.
The model is also spotlighting three other golfers with long odds who could contend seriously for the title. For detailed insights on reputable picks.
2025 PGA Championship Odds and Favorites
- Scottie Scheffler +500
- Rory McIlroy +500
- Bryson DeChambeau +1000
- Ludvig Aberg +1200
- Xander Schauffele +1200
- Collin Morikawa +1400
- Jon Rahm +1800
- Justin Thomas +2000
- Brooks Koepka +2000
- Viktor Hovland +2500
- Patrick Cantlay +2800
- Tyrrell Hatton +2800
- Hideki Matsuyama +3000
- Joaquin Niemann +35000
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