2024 PGA Championship Odds & Picks: Head-to-Head Matchups (Round 3)
Rounds 1 and 2 started very well, and we head into Saturday with Xander Schauffele (-12) holding a one-stroke lead. Valhalla will have its share of challenges; it is one of the longest courses this season, at 7,600 yards, with all three par-3s over 190 yards and six par-4s over 470.
Will the big drive guys reign supreme again? That's what happened last time this tournament was there, with Rory Mcllroy winning in 2014.
We'll look at a couple of head-to-head matchups to watch in Round 3.
2024 PGA Championship Odds & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Justin Thomas (-105) vs. Viktor Hovland (-125)
Viktor Hovland soared up the leaderboard after an incredible Round 2. After hitting that chip shot and getting the one bounce for the eagle, he was locked in and would go on to birdie five more holes and shoot a 66, the second-best score of the day.
This is the best he's looked all year, as he's been able to hit fairways and strengthen his tee-to-green approach. This must have a lot to do with the reunion of his previous swing coach, Joe Mayo, who was with him during his three tournament wins last year.
Justin Thomas also put up another fantastic performance, shooting a 67. He's been gaining ground on the front nine; in Round 1, he shot a 33, and in Round 2, he shot a 32. On Saturday, he'll start with the back nine to end his round strong.
The eagle is what set Hovland apart in this matchup on Friday. Don’t be surprised if he starts with a lead before Thomas jumps him.
Pick: Justin Thomas (-105)
Tony Finau (-140) vs. Tom Kim (+110)
Tony Finau's Friday didn't go as well as his opening round. On Thursday, he played his fourth bogey-free round in a major, but in the back nine in Round 2, he would double-bogey 12 and bogey 16, but was still a solid day, shooting 69 but moved back and is tied for eighth.
Finau is four shots behind, so he will need a few fantastic days to raise The Wanamaker Trophy. He knows what it takes to win with six PGA Tour victories but has yet to claim a major.
After a great first-round 66 and a great start on the front nine, it all came apart in the back nine of Round 2 for Kim. He started on the 10th hole, where he shot a 33 going out yesterday. Some of those approaches that were helping his tee to green were not working out, and the normally accurate driver had some miscues.
Pick: Tony Finau (-140)