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MoreWHO TO WATCH AT THE 2018 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
JASON DAY (AUS) Age: 30 World ranking: 10 US PGA Tour wins: 12 Best in a major: Win (2015 PGA Championship) US PGA Championships played: 8 (6 cuts made) Best PGA Championship: 1 (2015) Odds: $21
Why he can win: He's in hot form this year with two US PGA Tour victories. Since his 2015 PGA Championship victory he's finished second and tied ninth in the major.
Why he might not: Uncharacteristic lack of confidence with the putter. Statistically the best on tour, Day endured a poor display on the greens at last week's WGC event.
MARC LEISHMAN (AUS) Age: 34 World ranking: 18 US PGA Tour wins: 3 Best in a major: T2 (2015 British Open) US PGA Championships played: 7 (6 cuts made). Best PGA Championship: T12 (2013) Odds: $56
Why he can win: Hunger. Leishman has had several close calls on the PGA Tour this year without winning and not got the job done after a multiple-win 2017 season.
Why he might not: His driver. PGA Championships are typically won by great drivers of the ball and Leishman will need to be red-hot from the tee.
CAMERON SMITH (AUS) Age: 24 World ranking: 49 US PGA Tour wins: 1 Best in a major: T4 (2015 US Open) US PGA Championships played: 2 (1 cut made) Best PGA Championship: T25 (2015) Odds: $176
Why he can win: Growing credentials at the majors. Smith stormed home for a T5 at this year's Masters.
Why he might not: Length. Smith is only above average for driving distance on the PGA Tour and could be outdone by the bombers at Bellerive Country Club.
ADAM SCOTT (AUS) Age: 38 World ranking: 76 US PGA Tour wins: 13 Best in a major: Win (2013 Masters) US PGA Championships played: 17 (13 cuts made) Best PGA Championship: Tied third (2006) Odds: $91
Why he can win: Ball striking. Scott is one of the best in the world at the long game and PGA Championships tend to favour the bigger hitters.
Why he might not: Form and sharpness in contention - it's been more than two years since Scott last lifted a trophy.
CRAIG HOCKNULL (AUS) Age: 43 World ranking: 2,042 US PGA Tour wins: 0 Best in a major: 2018 debut at PGA Championship US PGA Championships played: 0 Best PGA Championship: 2018 debut Odds: $2,501
Why he can win: There is absolutely no pressure on any of the 20 club pros who qualified through the PGA Professionals Championship.
Why he might not: He is not a tour player and is making his major debut.
DUSTIN JOHNSON (USA) Age: 34 World ranking: 1 US PGA Tour wins: 19 Best in a major: Win (2016 US Open) US PGA Championships played: 8 (6 cuts made) Best PGA Championship: T5 (2010) Odds: $9 (favourite)
Why he can win: The long-hitting American is seemingly back to his lethal best form, having won three times this year.
Why he might not: Burn out. Johnson won the Canadian Open two weeks ago and finished tied third at the WGC-Bridgestone.
JUSTIN THOMAS (USA) Age: 25 World ranking: 2 US PGA Tour wins: 9 Best in a Major: Win (2017 US PGA Championship) US PGA Championships played: 3 (3 cuts made) Best PGA Championship: Win (2017) Odds: $15
Why he can win: The defending champion is fresh off a dominant, four-shot win at the WGC-Bridgestone.
Why he might not: The come down from his emotional WGC win with his grandparents in the gallery may be an obstacle.
BROOKS KOEPKA Age: 28 World ranking: 4 US PGA Tour wins: 3 Best in a major: 2 wins (2017 and 2018 US Open) US PGA Championships played: 5 (5 cuts made) Best PGA Championship: T4 (2016) Odds: $21
Why he can win: Comfortable winning at golf's major level, successfully defending his US Open title this year.
Why he might not: Nobody has won multiple majors in the same year since Jordan Spieth in 2015.
RORY McILROY (NIR) Age: 29 World ranking: 5 US PGA Tour wins: 14 Best in a major: 4 wins (2011 US Open; 2012, 2014 PGA Championship; 2014 British Open) US PGA Championships played: 9 (8 cuts made) Best PGA Championship: Win (2012, 2014) Odds: $13
Why he can win: He is a two-time PGA Champ and a phenomenal driver of the ball.
Why he might not: Putting. McIlroy is a streaky putter, which doesn't bode well for a course he hasn't previously competed on.
FRANCESCO MOLINARI Age: 35 World ranking: 6 US PGA Tour wins: 2 Best in a Major: Win (2018 British Open) US PGA Championships played: 9 (9 cuts made) Best PGA Championship: T2 (2017) Odds: $31
Why he can win: Has won twice on the PGA Tour this year, including a breakthrough major at Carnoustie last month.
Why he might not: Molinari is a shorter hitter and may be outdone by big hitters like Johnson and Thomas.
JORDAN SPIETH (USA) Age: 25 World ranking: 8 US PGA Tour wins: 11 Best in a major: 3 wins (2015 Masters; 2015 US Open, 2017 British Open) US PGA Championships played: 5 (3 cuts made) Best PGA Championship: Second (2015) Odds: $21
Why he can win: Desire. Spieth will be driven by the chance to complete the career grand slam with a maiden PGA Championship title.
Why he might not: Confidence. Spieth hasn't won a tournament since the British Open last year.
TIGER WOODS (USA) Age: 42 World ranking: 51 US PGA Tour wins: 79 Best in a major: 14 Wins (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 Masters; 2000, 2002, 2008 US Open; 2000, 2005, 2006 British Open; 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007 US PGA Championship) US PGA Championships played: 18 (15 cuts made) Best PGA Championship: Win (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007) Odds: $26
Why he can win: He is a four-time PGA Champ who has been contending this year, including a tie for sixth at the British Open.
Why he might not: Rust under the pump. In his injury comeback, Woods has stumbled on the home stretch when in contention.
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