Koepka Heavily Favored to Win PGA Championship After 1st Round; Tiger Woods Given 33-1 Odds

• Brooks Koepka dominates Round 1 of the PGA Championship to take a one shot lead
• Tiger Woods struggles on the greens leading to him way back of Koepka
• See the updated live odds entering Friday of the 2019 PGA Championship

There are three things certain in life – death, taxes, and Brooks Koepka leading a major championship. At the beginning of the week, oddsmakers listed him as the third favorite to hoist the Wanamaker trophy, but after his sizzling opening round, he’s now the overwhelming favorite.

His player partner Tiger Woods had his eyes set on a second straight major, but after an extremely disappointing first day, he’s going to have to make up serious ground if he’s to win his 16th career major title.

Here’s the updated PGA Championship odds after Round 1.

2019 PGA Championship Odds After Round 1

*Odds taken May 16th.

Brooks Koepka on Top of Another Major Leaderboard

Brooks Koepka has been a total machine and it is getting downright silly what he’s doing in major championships. He fired a blistering course record 7-under, 63, to open up a one shot edge on unheralded Danny Lee after the first day.

Effortless.@BKoepka is the first player to record 63 in back-to-back PGA Championships.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/iv0DJoMbXm

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 16, 2019

The three-time major champ (in his last seven starts), was so dominant and led the field in strokes gained tee to green.

The largest 18-hole lead in PGA Championship history is three.@BKoepka is up by four.#LiveUnderParpic.twitter.com/SYcg2W3EO7

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 16, 2019

The only bright side with that dominant round is that you can get a slew of other golfers at very good odds since he’s the heavy favorite to win. With the way he’s been playing though, bet against Koepka at your peril.

Tiger Woods Struggles Mightily in First Round

It was natural to expect a dose of rust in his game given that Tiger hasn’t teed it up since winning last months Masters, and it showed immediately with an opening double bogey.

🐦
🐦
Par
🦅@TigerWoods just flipped the switch.pic.twitter.com/wCNCvPHnhZ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 16, 2019

He got it back on track after a three-over-par front-nine highlighted by that eagle on his 13th hole.

However, his issues on the greens (that eagle not withstanding) came to the forefront as he missed several short par putts to limp to a 2-over 72, a full nine back of Koepka. He was a putrid 98th in strokes gained putting on Day 1.

Thing is, his putting looked smooth in the first few holes, but now, not so much. https://t.co/Qx09CkkbgB

— Tiger Tracker (@GCTigerTracker) May 16, 2019

If there’s one thing about Tiger, however, is that you’d be a fool to totally count him out. With his 40-1 odds, that’s worth a sprinkle.

Best Live Value Picks at 2019 PGA Championship

1. Rickie Fowler (+2000): Due to finally break through at a major, and is with a cluster of golfers in a tie for ninth. Three runner-up finishes at the majors and was ninth at this year’s Masters. Seventh in putting in first round.
2. Jordan Spieth (+4000): With a victory he’d become just the sixth man to complete the career grand slam. Has had success in spurts on tour this season but has yet to put it together for four rounds. Professionally lurking at one-under par.
3. Hideki Matsuyama (+8000): Long shot dart throw with huge upside. Matsuyama shot even par on Thursday and hasn’t missed a cut all season. In 2016, he finished T-4th at the PGA and 2017 was T-5th. Premium ball striker who could go low with even a decent semblance of strong play on the greens.