One-and-Done Golf Picks for the PGA Championship

Below, I’ve outlined three players worth a look for OAD pools this week at the PGA Championship.

For those unfamiliar, OAD pools closely mirror an NFL survivor contest. Players select a golfer each week and earn their prize money at the conclusion of the event.

The catch? Contestants can only use a player once. Additionally, not all prize pools are created equally, which further adds to the game theory.

Golf odds are reflective at the time of writing and are subject to movement.

3 Best PGA Championship One-and-Done Picks

Option #1: Scottie Scheffler (+450)

As I wrote in my PGA Championship Picks, Scheffler fits the mold of someone who succeeds at Aronimink.

If you look back at the 2018 BMW leaderboard, it’s littered at the top with players considered elite iron players. Scheffler, who struggled with his irons early, has started to regain form.

Scheffler has gained over a stroke per round on approach twice in his last three events. That sample includes +1.67 at the Masters and +1.33 at Doral.

Over his last 12 rounds, Scheffler spiked to 5+ SG: APP 8.3% of the time. It ties him with Robert MacIntyre and Taylor Pendrith.

He’s also dominated this specific major tournament. Including his win at Quail Hollow, Scheffler finished T-8th or better five times in six PGA starts.

If you’ve saved him until now, it’s my belief you can safely use him at Aronimink.

Read More: PGA Championship Favorites: Analyzing the Short Shots

Option #2: Cameron Young (+1200)

Young’s off-the-tee record is and always will be phenomenal. He’s also finished 10th or better in seven of his previous eight events.

If there’s concern to be had with Young, it’s that the irons have started to fall off. From the Genesis Invitational to the Masters, he averaged +1.03 SG: APP.

In those 16 rounds, Young spiked to +1.6 SG: APP or higher eight times. In the 12 rounds since, he averaged +0.36 per round and cleared the 1.6 threshold only twice.

The good news is that, if you detach your guidance from the irons, a lot remains encouraging. Young ranks second in bogey avoidance percentage and SG: TOT in strong fields this year.

He also places fourth in total driving when the rough is “average” or “long” in length. He also ranks fourth and 19th, respectively, in Par 4 Efficiency: 401-450 and 451-500 yards.

Option #3: Bryson DeChambeau (+1800)

I could see a wide range of outcomes with DeChambeau at Aronimink. On the one hand, he won a major at Pinehurst, another Donald Ross design.

He also owns a brilliant PGA Championship record: four top-4s in his last five. The timeframe includes a T-4th at Oak Hill, another Northeast Ross design similar to Aronimink.

Two factors earn my concern. First is the heavy bunkering at Aronimink. We saw at Augusta National that DeChambeau struggled coming out of the sand.

If the irons fail him again, he could easily spiral to a lackluster finish.

Additionally, it looks as though the PGA is planning to grow out the rough at the course. That would place an emphasis on accurate off-the-tee play vs. driving distance.

It would be foolish to say DeChambeau doesn’t have a chance in a bomb-and-gouge contest. After all, he employed the strategy on his way to the U.S. Open win at Winged Foot.

But there’s enough of a concern that DeChambeau feels a risky OAD pick given his potential volatility.