Hideki Matsuyama 2023 PGA Championship: Best Bets & Predictions

by BettingPros Staff |
May 17, 2023

The PGA Championship used to bat cleanup as the fourth and final major of the season, but this will be the fifth time that the PGA has been held in May, in between the Masters and the U.S. Open.

Justin Thomas is the defending champion. He shot a final-round 67 at Southern Hills last year and beat Will Zalatoris in a playoff to win the Wanamaker Trophy, the giant piece of hardware awarded annually to the PGA champ. Thomas and Brooks Koepka have combined to win four of the last six PGA Championships, with Collin Morikawa and Phil Mickelson interrupting the Thomas/Koepka reign in 2020 and 2021.

This year's PGA Championship returns Oak Hill in Pittsford, N.Y., where Jason Dufner finished -10 to win the 2013 PGA, beating runner-up Jim Furyk by two strokes. But the East Course at Oak Hill will look much different than it did at the last PGA here 10 years ago. Course architect Andrew Green presided over a major remodeling intended to make the course more faithful to the original Donald Ross design. The course will once again play at par-70, and after playing at 7,163 yards in 2013, it has been stretched to 7,400 for this year's event.

Will favorites Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler flex their muscles at Oak Hill? Will Thomas and Koepka extend their stretch of PGA dominance? Or will an unexpected winner emerge from the field the way Jimmy Walker did at Baltusrol in 2016? Read on for betting profiles of the top contenders for the 2023 PGA Championship.

Check out our 2023 PGA Championship Betting Guide >>

Hideki Matsuyama 2023 PGA Championship Best Bets

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2023 PGA Championship Course Preview

The prestigious Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, is set to host the highly anticipated 2023 PGA Championship. Known for its rich history and challenging layout, Oak Hill has been the venue for numerous major championships in the past, including the U.S. Open and the Ryder Cup. As a golf enthusiast, you can expect a memorable tournament that showcases the worldâ€™s best golfers battling it out for the coveted Wanamaker Trophy.

Oak Hillâ€™s East Course, the main stage for the championship, is renowned for its demanding yet fair design. The par-70 layout stretches over 7,400 yards, presenting a stern test of skill and strategy. The course features narrow fairways, undulating greens, and strategically placed bunkers, making precision and accuracy paramount for success. With its classic design and traditional feel, Oak Hill provides a perfect blend of shot-making challenges and strategic decision-making, setting up a thrilling and closely contested championship.

One of the standout features of Oak Hill is its iconic finishing stretch. This challenging sequence of holes, starting with the par-3 15th, demands precision and nerves of steel. The 16th hole, a 458-yard par-4, requires players to navigate a narrow fairway, setting up an approach shot to an elevated green. The 17th, a 502-yrd par-4 that angles to the right, requires length and precision off the tee. Finally, the 18th hole, a 497-yard par-4 with a slight dogleg right, concludes the round with a testing approach shot to a green guarded by four bunkers.

The unique characteristics of Oak Hill provide valuable insights for wagering on the championship. Accuracy off the tee, exceptional iron play, and a deft touch on the greens will be key attributes to consider when evaluating potential contenders. Additionally, players with a strong mental game, capable of handling the pressure-cooker atmosphere, may have an advantage on this challenging layout.

Hideki Matsuyama 2023 PGA Championship Betting Outlook

Matsuyama has finished 26th or better in six of his last eight majors, including his win at the Masters in 2021 and a solo fourth at last yearâ€™s U.S. Open. The only event Matsuyama has played since his 16th-place finish at the Masters was last weekâ€™s AT&T Byron Nelson, where he finished tied for 23rd. Matsuyama tied for 19th when the PGA Championship was last played at Oak Hills in 2013. One of the better ballstrikers in the game, the seasoned Matsuyama could make a run this week if his balky putting holds up. Heâ€™s worthy of a modest investment this week.

Hideki Matsuyama 2023 PGA Championship Betting Advice

Betting Matsuyama outright at +4500 or to finish top five at +900 are reasonable options.

2023 PGA Championship Golfer Profiles

Check out our previews for each of the top golfers competing at Oak Hill this week:

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