The Northern Irishman has won this event twice before, while several veterans should enjoy Baltusrol's soft greens at the year's final major
Rory McIlroy
With US PGA Championship victories in 2012 and 2014, the time is right for McIlroy to complete his hat-trick this week at Baltusrol.
It is four years since the Northern Irishman first won this event, but he is still only 27 and five of the last six winners of this tournament have been under the age of 30.
That, along with his fifth-placed finish at the Open, bodes well for his chances.
McIlroy showed glimpses of his best at Troon and finished strongly after a difficult third round in which he was clearly troubled by the inclement Scottish weather.
That will not be a problem here, and the four-time major winner is the best bet of golf’s current ‘big four’.
McIlroy to win the PGA Championship: {ODDS:64208062:9/1}
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson will surely still be feeling the physical and emotional effects of a galling second-placed finish at the Open less than a fortnight ago.
The 46-year-old put together four fantastic rounds but was ultimately beaten by Henrik Stenson in a Sunday showdown.
A weekend at Baltusrol, though, should be the perfect remedy.
Mickelson knows this course as well as any player on tour – winning the last time the US PGA was held there in 2005.
Lefty is also well-rested since that weekend at Troon, arriving in New Jersey on Saturday while many of his contemporaries were in action at the Canadian Open.
Mickelson is yet to win a PGA Tour event in 2016, but he has three top-fives in his last eight events and is clearly playing well enough to earn his sixth major.
Mickelson to win the PGA Championship: {ODDS:64208075:20/1}
Adam Scott
The best player in golf from tee to green in 2016, Scott has the game to dominate at Baltusrol this week.
The Australian is accurate with the driver and ranks first among all players in shots gained on approach to the green, meaning he is poised to avoid the course’s thick rough.
Putting has long been his weakness, but the soft greens should help him, particularly if it rains at any point.
Scott is supremely consistent, having not missed a cut in his last 19 tournaments – a run which stretches back to August 2015.
The 36-year-old failed to threaten the leaders at any of this year’s first three majors, but the PGA is undoubtedly the one that suits him most.
Adam Scott to win the PGA Championship: {ODDS:64208071:33/1}
Branden Grace
Grace’s game is similarly well-matched with the traditional set-up of Baltusrol and he should fare much better here than he did at Troon.
The South African finished 13-over-par in Scotland, but his fifth place at the US Open is a clearer indication of his ability.
Grace ranks in the top 20 for approaches to the green, total shots gained and scoring average this year, and he is one of the best players on tour yet to win a major.
The 28-year-old also often plays his best golf on Sundays, and currently ties for seventh among all players in terms of final-round performance.
Considering golf’s four major titles are currently held by first-time winners, Grace cannot be counted out.
Branden Grace to finish in the top five: {ODDS:98608768:11/1}
Lee Westwood
Westwood has experienced a resurgence in form this year, with five top-15 finishes in his last seven tournaments.
The former world No. 1 has not win since 2014, but he is now playing consistently well and has made the cut in his last eight major appearances.
Now 43, Westwood’s best days are behind him and he may not have the length to win here, or at any major championship for that matter.
But his short game has vastly improved, and his accuracy with the irons should keep him in contention.
Like Scott, his putting has let him down in recent years, but the forgiving greens at Baltrusol shouldn’t give him too many problems.
Westwood to finish in the top five: {ODDS:98608813:14/1}
