The GOLF.com PGA sleeper picks are in. Tiger Woods is the favorite, but an under-the-radar pro can still make some noise on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park. The PGA Championship begins on Thursday in Farmingdale, N.Y.
PGA sleepers to watch
Jessica Marksbury, multimedia editor (@Jess_Marksbury): Rob Labritz. Ever heard of him? You will! The club pro from GlenArbor has been prepping for this moment for years. He’s a three-time winner of the New York State Open, which is contested every year at the Black. He may have more competitive rounds there than anyone else in the field. I doubt there’s any player who knows the course better. We usually wonder if a club pro can even make the cut at the PGA, but this year, I’m looking at Labritz to contend.
Josh Sens, contributor (@JoshSens): Lucas Bjerregaard. Not a ton of starts on Tour in his young career but he’s shown well on a number of big stages. A good week at Augusta. A strong weekend at the Players. And a win over Tiger in match play in Austin.
Jonathan Wall, equipment editor (@jonathanrwall): Max Homa. If he can stare down the competition and win at Quail Hollow — one of the toughest courses on Tour — I think he can replicate the feat at Bethpage. Homa plays with no fear, and you need that kind of swagger to win a major.
Pat Ralph, associate editor (@Pat_Ralph): Lucas Glover. Glover came out on top at Bethpage in the 2009 U.S. Open, the last time the course hosted a major championship. Plus, he’s got four top-10 finishes this season. Having that course knowledge and experience of winning at Bethpage could prove to be crucial.
Dylan Dethier, associate editor (@Dylan_Dethier): Louis Oosthuizen. He’s a top driver of the golf ball and has elite touch around the greens, and I loved his T2 at the Valspar, which is about as close as Florida gets to a major-type setup. (Take that, Sawgrass!) Like Woods, he hasn’t played since Augusta — making him extra sleepy. Value at 60-1.
Sean Zak, associate editor (@sean_zak): Emiliano Grillo. Don’t ask why. Just watch him finish in the top 20.
Michael Bamberger, senior writer: Lucas Glover. Playing so well, good BPB vibes, overdo for a week where it all comes together. Plus, he’s a pleasure to root for.
Alan Bastable, executive editor (@alan_bastable): Sergio! Hey, a man can dream. And it’s not as outlandish a pick as it sounds. He’s coming in hot after a runner-up finish in New Orleans and a T4 in Charlotte.
Jeff Ritter, digital development editor (@Jeff_Ritter): Is Henrik Stenson a sleeper? (Checks odds, sees he’s 60-1, runs to the betting window.) His fairway-splitting 3-woods and steady iron game should play well. I like him for a top 5.
Luke Kerr-Dineen, instruction editor (@LukeKerrDineen): Lucas Glover. He’s been one of the low-key most consistent players on Tour this season. He’s clocked 11 top 15s in 15 starts with just three missed cuts. That’s the form of a guy who’s ready to win. And why not this week? After all, he was the dark horse who rode through a soggy Bethpage to capture the 2009 US Open.
Josh Berhow, senior editor (@Josh_Berhow): Justin Harding. You may remember him sneaking into the top 10 for the first three rounds of the 2019 Masters before tying for 12th. He’s coming off a top 10 at the AT&T Byron Nelson and could add another sneaky good finish at the PGA.
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