Five 2022 PGA Championship Longshots We Love

Earlier this week, I previewed the PGA Championship focusing on three of the favorites at Southern Hills. Now let’s dig into some “longshots.”

Note: prices listed below available at a major U.S. sportsbooks as of writing Monday evening.

Russell Henley 120/1

Henley ranks fifth in the field in approach and 20th around the green. He is in good form as he has finished 41st or better in 10 of his last 11 starts. Henley has numerous tour victories in windy conditions. You might also remember that he was in contention in the U.S. Open last year at Torrey Pines.

Alex Noren 130/1

Noren is not the Oklahoma State player that everyone would expect to win this week, but his game fits this course well and he excels in the wind. He ranks top 30 in this field in approach, putting, bogey avoidance, three-putt avoidance, and sand saves. He has made the cut in each of his last eight starts including a 12th place finish last week in which he gained strokes in all four major categories (his 4th top 12 in 2022).

Christiaan Bezuidenhout 160/1

Bezuidenhout is another player who excels in windy conditions. Just like Noren, he finished 12th last week at the Byron Nelson, so he comes into this event in good form. He ranks top 40 in this field in approach, around the green, putting, sand saves, bogey avoidance and three-putt avoidance.

Maverick McNealy 175/1

McNealy has only missed the cut once since last year’s PGA Championship! He may not be the best course fit, with his chipping being a weakness, but that is more than factored into this juicy price. A player with his ability and consistency should not be priced this high.

Marc Leishman 180/1

This course may remind Leishman a bit of some of his favorite courses back home in Australia, as it will feature firm fairways, slopey greens, heavy winds, lots of bunkers and shaved runoffs all around the greens. He is a seasoned veteran who has four top-five finishes in majors, including the playoff loss to Zach Johnson at the 2015 Open at The Old Course.

Robert MacIntyre 250/1

He has made the cut in all eight majors that he has played, including three top-12 finishes. MacIntyre is a great ball striker who plays well in the wind. So how is the world’s 79th ranked player 250/1 this week?

MORE PGA COVERAGE FROM THE FRIED EGG

• A video with Gil Hanse on what the pros will confront at Southern Hills
• The Restoration: Southern Hills and the future of championship golf
• A PGA Primer on the traits and challenges of Southern Hills
• Paulie’s Picks: Attributes and players to consider for the PGA
• What to Know About Perry Maxwell: The life, work, and philosophy of the architect behind Southern Hills
• Oklahoma and Maxwell-themed T-shirts for the 2022 PGA