You'd be hard pressed to find another golf bettor that has lost more money betting on Xander Schauffele at major tournaments than your truly.
But, it's finally time. Xander has flirted with glory time and time again, but everything is pointing towards this week's PGA Championship being the perfect time for him to finally get it done.
Let's take a look at his odds to win the 2023 PGA Championship and then I'll break down why I think Xander will become a major champion.
Xander Schauffele PGA Championship odds
Why Xander Schauffele will win the PGA Championship
Before I give my opinion about why Xander Schauffele is winning this week, allow me share with you a few FACTS, courtesy of @JustinRayGolf on Twitter:
Xander has been hovering around the top of the leaderboard time and time again, and now he's ready to claim a major. One of the key aspects of winning a major, which has been proved time and time again, is you have to have great form leading into the event.
Well, let's look at where Xander has finished in his last six starts dating back to The Players Championship in March:
- The Players – T19
- WGC-Dell Match Play – T5
- The Masters – T10
- RBC Heritage – 4th
- Zurich Classic – T4
- Wells Fargo Championship – 2nd
That last start is key. Just two weeks ago, Xander finished in 2nd place at the Wells Fargo. His game is peaking at the right time and he hasn't finished outside the top 20 since the Arnold Palmer Invitational in early March.
Now, let's look at where he ranks in key areas on the PGA Tour this season:
- Total strokes gained: 4th
- Strokes gained: off-the-tee: 68th
- Strokes gained: approach: 5th
- Strokes gained: putting 19th
- Scoring average: 3rd
- Scrambling%: 27th
- Approach proximity from 150-175 yards: 1st
The only concern that you have in that entire group of metrics is strokes gained: off-the-tee, but he has dialed this area of his game in. He was struggling off the tee early in the season, especially with his accuracy, but he has gained strokes in that area in four straight starts.
In his second place finish at the Wells Fargo, he drove the ball on average of 8.8 yards further than the field average while hitting the fairway 6% more times than the field average. That's some promising stuff right there.
When you're predicting a golfer to win a tournament, you're looking at two main things; course fit and recent form. Xander has a HUGE check mark next to both of those boxes.
It's time, my friend. Ride the Xander train to glory with me.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.