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PGA Championship Favorites Scheffler, McIlroy

ESPN General •
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The 2026 PGA Championship arrives at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania, with defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Masters winner Rory McIlroy leading the betting board. The tournament features a star-studded field with Scheffler and McIlroy as overwhelming favorites, followed closely by Jon Rahm and Cameron Young. Scheffler enters as the world No. 1 despite not winning since January, with three consecutive runner-up finishes fueling anticipation.

Expert opinions heavily favor Scheffler, with nine of thirteen analysts selecting him to win the Wanamaker Trophy. His complete game and mental toughness draw consistent praise, though his iron play has shown slight regression. Cameron Young emerges as the second choice, celebrated for his length and ability to compete with Scheffler and McIlroy. Scheffler's +385 odds remain the most popular betting pick despite not representing great value according to oddsmakers.

Aronimink's restored course presents a stern test with more bunkers, deeper rough, and glass-like greens that reward approach play and bent grass putting. Pamela Maldonado favors Scheffler's ability to manage the course under pressure, while Justin Rose emerges as a compelling top-10 bet at +355. The course's history of rewarding precise shot-making over raw power sets up perfectly for players who can consistently find the right sections of the large, contoured greens from the fairway.