PGA Championship Betting

The PGA Championship, or the US PGA as it is commonly called, is the fourth and final of the annual major golf championships, and is hosted at a different course each year in the United States. It is organized by the Professional Golfers Association of America, and always attracts the world's premier golfers.

The US PGA, which is normally held four weeks after the Open Championship in Great Britain, is a four-day stroke play tournament with a hefty $8,000,000 purse (2012). The winner of this prestigious tournament will walk away with the top prize of $1,445,000, and the kudos of winning one of golf's biggest events.

The US PGA Background

Like the other three majors, the PGA Championship has a long and illustrious history, which dates back to 1916, when the inaugural tournament was hosted at the Siwanoy Country Club in Eastchester, New York. It was organized by the Professional Golfers Association of America, which was formed earlier that same year.

That first US PGA was won by Jim Barnes of England, and from then until 1957 it was a match play tournament. But in 1958 until now, the US PGA has been a stroke play event. Up until the mid 1960s, the PGA was held just a week after the Open Championship, making it extremely impractical for players to compete in both.

Which is why in 1969 the PGA Championship was moved to its current slot in mid-August to give players the chance to play in both. Since its inception, the two players with the most PGA wins are Americans Walter Hagen and Jack Nicklaus with five wins each.

PGA Championship Betting

With the advent of internet sports betting sites, betting on all golfing events - especially the four majors - has never been easier or more convenient, and the PGA Championship is no different. Because golf is broadcast and streamed live to most countries these days, golf betting levels have increased dramatically.

As a result, online sportsbooks post a variety of US PGA betting lines and markets, which include outrights, props and specials. The great thing about this is that you have a greater choice than ever before of betting odds to choose from, and can place your bets with a few clicks of your mouse, from pretty much anywhere in the world.

And with the growing popularity of mobile betting facilities, you can even place your PGA Championship wagers on the go using a range of mobile smart devices. This means that you no longer have any excuse for not getting your bets on before the PGA action kicks off.

2012 PGA Championship Field and Odds

The 2012 PGA Championship starts on Thursday, August 9 at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, where it will be contested on the Ocean Course. A total of 156 players will take part in this year's tournament, comprising 136 tour professionals and 20 club professionals.

In terms of 2012 PGA Championship golf betting, most sportsbooks have posted American Tiger Woods as the 8/1 favorite, with Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy and Englishman Luke Donald the tied second favorites at 18/1, followed by Englishman Lee Westwood at 20/1 and Australian Adam Scott at 28/1.