Welcome to our PGA Tour betting tips column, featuring picks from GOLF.com’s expert forecaster Brady Kannon. A seasoned golf bettor and commentator, Kannon is a host and regular guest on SportsGrid, a syndicated audio network dedicated to sports and sports betting, and is a golf betting analyst for CBS Sportsline. You can follow Brady on X at @LasVegasGolferand you can read his picks after the cut below for the weekend at the 2026 PGA Championship.
We were right in guessing that the rain would make scoring a bit easier on Thursday and that it would become increasingly difficult as the temperatures rose, the rain dried and the greens got firmer and faster as the week went on. However, I certainly didn’t think it would be as difficult as it has been Aronimink Golf Club for the 108th edition of the PGA Championship. Earlier in the week, golf odds predicted the winning score would be around 12 under par. After 36 holes, I’m not so sure we’ll get to double figures.
Tour veterans Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley share the lead at the halfway mark at 4-under par. Many big names are looking to follow them over the weekend, including Ludvig Aberg, Cameron Young, Min Woo Lee, Chris Gotterup, Hideki Matsuyama and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, who is twice off the pace in his bid as the defending champion.
Each of the last 36 PGA Championship winners have been within six shots of the lead after 36 holes. Eighty-two players have made the cut at Aronimink, and 56 of them are within six shots or less of the lead. That’s not all that different from an entire Signature Event-sized field that, based on over three decades of history, has a chance to get their hands on the Wanamaker Trophy. Just eight shots separate the leaders from the cut line.
Moving day should be very interesting. I believe the PGA of America was very intentional with its difficult pin placements on the greens on Friday. I have a feeling they will make these much more accessible on Saturday and allow for some potential fireworks. However, after seeing nearly every player in a jersey for the first two rounds, temperatures are expected to drop into the low 80s with winds in the 10-20 mph range still likely. While the setup may appear to produce more results, the weather will simply make the course and greens even firmer and faster. It looks like there will be very little wind on Sunday, but the heat is expected to continue to rise. We may get some fireworks, yes, but this golf course will continue to be very challenging.
So who could be the one to put their name on that trophy? What have we learned after two rounds that we can use going forward?
Let’s start by checking in our pre-tournament selections. Unfortunately, Russell Henley and Adam Scott have missed the cut, but our remaining half-dozen players are looking good. Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Sahith Theegala are all tied for 30th at 1-over, five shots off the pace. Kurt Kitayama and Patrick Cantlay are 1-under, three shots behind McNealy and Smalley.
Cantlay and Kitayama are both tied for sixth in the field through two rounds for Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, but both are losing putter shots. Similarly, Spieth is fourth for SG: Off the Tee, 27th in approach, ninth in Greens in Regulation, but is missing nearly a full shot on the fairway with the putter.
With half of the championship still to go, here are three players I would consider using moving forward if you don’t already have them in your pocket.
Min Woo Lee (15-1)
Lee leads this field in two rounds for SG: Tee to Green and watch out, because he is a very good putter, ranking 47th on Tour for SG: Putting, yet he is barely winning anything on this course on the greens so far, ranking 63rd on the field currently for SG: Putting. He is really doing everything very well. The pitching is also a bit positive and isn’t losing ground on the field – but if Lee’s pitcher just gets back to his usual form a bit, he’ll definitely be a factor.
Patrick Cantlay (33-1)
It was two birdie putts coming down the stretch Friday that just burned the edge for Cantlay. If they had come in, he would be a shot from the lead and probably trade for a third of his current price. We’ve written about Cantlay’s run coming into this championship, going 7-12-8-10 in his last four starts. Putting has never been his strongest suit, but he hasn’t been completely terrible this season either – and in his most recent start, last week in Charlotte, Cantlay finished the Truist Championship ranked 10th in that field for SG:Putting, winning by nearly four shots on the field. I have to believe the flatstick will turn positive here at Aronimink over the weekend and Cantlay makes a bid for his first major championship.
Jordan Spieth (105-1)
That’s a long shot at this point, but not many were giving Spieth much of a chance before the championship began. Through two rounds, he’s played fantastic golf but just hasn’t been able to hit a putt. Part of our reason for making Spieth a pre-tournament selection was his short game, and that’s really what has held him back so far. He is tied for 11th in the field for SG: Tee to Green. He is no. 1 in Driving Accuracy and is ninth for Greens in Regulation. We remind you that there are only 82 players left in this field. Spieth ranks 36th for Scrambling and is 74th for SG:Putting. If he continues to hit the ball the way he has been, I believe that his short game issues will turn around for good and that he will at least give himself a chance to make a serious run.
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