It’s a simple question: Do you think your golfer has what it takes to win a major this season on the PGA Tour?
The answer might not be as simple as ‘yes’ or ‘no’. And the reasoning for this nuance is sound. With just four majors every year (Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and Open Championship), it’s a tall order to grab one of these prestigious and life-changing titles.
We look at the chase for majors as having three distinct categories. Every player in every major tournament falls into one of these.
Odds To Win A Major In 2021 (BetMGM)
Favorites
- Dustin Johnson +200
- Jon Rahm +225
- Bryson DeChambeau +250
- Rory McIlroy +250
- Justin Thomas +275
- Xander Schauffele +275
- Brooks Koepka +350
Middle Of The Pack
- Collin Morikawa +500
- Patrick Cantlay +600
- Patrick Reed +700
- Viktor Hovland +900
- Daniel Berger +900
- Adam Scott +900
- Sungjae Im +1000
Longer Shots
- Harris English +1200
- Paul Casey +1400
- Sergio Garcia +1400
- Joaquinn Niemann +1600
- Cameron Champ +1800
- Kevin Na +2500
- Alex Noren +2500
Breaking Down The Categories
First, there are those players whose main focus is entirely on great showings in the majors. Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka come to mind. If it’s not a major, they won’t lose a minute of sleep over not winning. They circle these four events on the calendar and will be there (unless there’s an injury).
But if either or both players are in contention, they have the ability to turn up the heat. That’s why Woods is at 15 majors (and still chasing Jack Nicklaus’ 18), and Koepka is at a startling four majors in his seven PGA Tour victories.
Then there are those who try to temper their enthusiasm. Guys like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and Dustin Johnson, among others, have won majors for their resumes and would love nothing more than to win a few more. But it’s not a life-or-death week like it is with Woods and Koepka. Well, maybe it is if you’re in contention with a hole or two left, and then proceed to give it away.
And, finally, there are those who are just happy to be in the field. They look at making the cut as a big deal. If they happen to be in the hunt come the weekend, that’s another bonus and a learning experience. Just don’t expect them to win.
But, What If They Do Win?
Here’s where it gets tricky. One of those just-happy-to-be-there guys can actually win. And a few have won.
A win for this last group, however remote that might be, does change lives. Just ask guys like Mike Weir, Trevor Immelman, and Danny Willet. All three came out of nowhere to win a major, and while they have had solid careers, their time in the spotlight has been short-lived.
There Are Major Options With Majors
So, we’ve got options when it comes to betting on the majors. Bettors can look at individual tournaments during the week of the event. However, don’t forget that you can also bet on whether your favorite player or players will win any major during the year.
Intrigued? We thought you would be.
The Numbers Add Up
Bettors can wager that their player will win one of the four majors, right now. Check out BetMGM or other sites like FanDuel or DraftKings for individual majors. Players actually get four bets for the price of one by picking a player to win one of the four titles.
With four chances to win, the odds are lower.
But if recent success is any indication, Johnson, at a low +200 at BetMGM, and Koepka, at a better price of +350, are the two best choices on the board.
Johnson won the most recent Masters and has worldwide wins. He’s in contention just about every week.
Koepka won his four majors in the last three years. Koepka had three MCs earlier in the year but then came back with a win at the Waste Management event to right the ship.
As for a longer shot, we’re looking down the board at Patrick Cantlay at +600. He’s always in the mix, and he’s as hot as anyone right now.
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