Francesco Molinari’s 2019 PGA Championship Odds Get Big Boost From Strong Masters Showing

• Francesco Molinari nearly won the Masters for his second career major
• His odds to win the PGA Championship in May have improved significantly
• Who is the best bet to lift the Wanamaker trophy?

Despite a stunning collapse at the Masters, where Francesco Molinari rinsed two balls in the water en route to disappointing fifth place finish, his PGA Championship odds have seen a big boost.

The cool, calm, and collected Italian’s odds have gone from an average of +3200 to +1700 after that strong showing. Is the 2018 Open Champion worth a wager now?

2019 PGA Championship Odds

*Odds taken 04/16/19. Follow the link in the table above to see all betting options.

Francesco Molinari Continues Torrid Play

A lot can change in a year – at this point in 2018 Molinari was a steady respectable golfer with four European Tour (and zero PGA Tour) titles to his credit with two Ryder Cup appearances (2010, 2012).

Francesco Molinari is as close as we come to figuring out golf in this modern era. Has transformed everything and has become the best player in the world. No surprise he’s atop this leaderboard.

— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) April 12, 2019

Fast forward a year and he’s won a Claret Jug at the 2018 Open Championship, added two other PGA Tour titles to his credit (2018 Quicken Loans National, 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational), and had a sparkling 5-0 record at the 2018 Ryder Cup in France.

Francesco Molinari put on a brave face as he reflected on his "costly mental lapses" which took him out of the running for the Masters title on a dramatic Sunday at Augusta.

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 14, 2019

The sting of losing a lead on the final nine holes of the Masters notwithstanding, he’s getting better and better on the biggest stages.

Francesco Molinari’s Tournament Results this Season

Prior to the 2017 PGA Championship, he posted just two top-10 finishes in 32 career majors, and now he has four in his last six major championships. Not only that, he’s figured out how to play well at PGA Championship venues.

Molinari’s Last 5 PGA Championship Results

Are there only five other golfers better than him to win next month’s PGA Championship? His +1600 odds are an overreaction to him nearly snagging a green jacket. His strokes gained stats aren’t elite this season either – 100th off the tee, 137th approaching the green and 47th in total strokes gained.

Who's spent more time in water… Michael Phelps or Francesco Molinari?

— Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) April 14, 2019

The most prudent play would be to hold off wagering on Molinari now and see if a more popular player (Rickie Fowler orJon Rahm for example) play well leading up to the PGA, which will drive Molinari’s odds down to a more reasonable price.

The Best Value Bet to Win 2019 PGA Championship

It’s hard to believe that just one average result at the Masters (T-21st) has dropped Rory McIlroy to third favorite status. With the added benefit of not having the weight of attempting to win the career grand slam at the Masters, he should play more freely. After all, before the Masters, he had posted seven straight top-10’s on the PGA Tour this season.