Power Rankings: Who Are the Top Picks at the 2021 PGA Championship?

Published 05/18/2021, 2:30 PM EDT

The 2021 PGA Championship is just a few days away and fans are unable to contain their excitement. The second major of the year is being hosted at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, and the tournament begins on Thursday, May 20. So who are all the early favorites to win the 2021 PGA Championship?

It should be noted that the PGA Championship is being hosted at ‘The Ocean Course’ this year. This golf course has the reputation of ranking as one of the toughest layouts in America consistently.

Wind will always play a huge part at the Ocean Course since it is right next to the Atlantic Ocean coast. The viewpoints will be stunning, but the strong winds will offer little mercy to the golfers. Only the most accurate and strong strikers can put on a solid performance here.

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Top five picks to win 2021 PGA Championship

The PGA Championship certainly brings out the nerves in a golfer. Competing at a major tournament is no easy feat, and winning it would send a player into euphoria. Collin Morikawa experienced it last year when he won the PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park but is he a favorite to win again this year?

Here are the top five picks to win at The Ocean Course this year:

5. Xander Schauffele: Schauffele is one of those players who always brings his A-game to a major event. He has recorded six Top 10 finishes this season and achieved T3 at the 2021 Masters. Brought up his career-best T10 finish at the PGA Championship last year and could improve it in 2021.

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4. Justin Thomas: Thomas picked up his maiden title of the 2021 season at The Players Championship. He’s not recorded a Top 10 finish since winning at TPC Sawgrass, but the PGA Championship is so far the only major Thomas has won in his career. He’s a favorite owing to his experience and striking prowess.

3. Bryson DeChambeau: DeChambeau ranks as a top pick despite his conflicting performances in recent events. He finished a career-best T4 in 2020 and is a major contender as The Ocean course is expected to suit his powerful striking.

2. Viktor Hovland: There are a few reasons why Viktor Hovland is considered a top pick at the 2021 PGA Championship. His talent has been shining bright on the tour and the Norwegian picked up both his tour wins on paspalum, the same grass that makes up the entirety of The Ocean Course.

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1. Rory McIlroy: Yes, McIlroy is the outright favorite to reign supreme at the 2021 PGA Championship. He won the major when it was hosted at The Ocean course for the first time in 2012 and loved playing at the venue. He’s back into the winner’s circle once again and is expected to put on a masterclass at Kiawah Island.

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Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.

Power Rankings: Who Are the Top Picks at the 2021 PGA Championship?

Top five picks to win 2021 PGA Championship

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