It's not very often that the eyes of the golfing world switch focus to events across the pond, but this week that is what is happening as attention switches to Wentworth, England. And with the on-course action set to start, here we bring you our free golf betting picks on the 2022 BMW PGA Championship.
This event is not to be confused with the BMW Championship, held at Wilmington in August (won by Patrick Cantlay). This is the flagship event of the DW Tour (formerly known as the European Tour).
LIV golfers hog the limelight again
As alluded to in the opening salvo, there is plenty of action taking place off the course. Recent FedEx Cup winner Rory McIlroy is back across the pond to play in this event, as are a lot of European LIV golfers who are able (for the time being) to still play this event.
And it's fair to say, McIlroy, one of LIV golf's biggest critics, isn't too impressed at the prospect of bumping into some of his European colleagues over the next few days.
Already, sparks have been flying in press conferences, and this is after Germany's Martin Kaymer opted not to take part, stating that he didn't want to play at a place where "you're not that welcome."
A number of the European LIV golfers have put their tin hats on and decided they are coming. With Sergio Garcia stoking things up with comments that included he was turning up to "support the European Tour," and to anybody who didn't like his presence here, it was "too bad for them."
"I'm sure some guys will be tense about it... too bad for them."
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) September 4, 2022
When you consider that one of the major gripes amongst the players who've opted not to join LIV, is that the LIV players' presence at Wentworth is restricting opportunities for players not so privileged, you get the feeling that Garcia's remarks could be seen as incendiary.
Defending champion Billy Horschel and former world number one Jon Rahm are unhappy at the LIV players participation of the eventš¤
Horschel branded several LIV players "hypocrites," and "opportunistic" for turning up to the event.
More ā¤µļø#BBCGolf #PGAChampionship
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 6, 2022
At the moment it seems to be Americans Talor Gooch and Abraham Ancer coming in for the most criticism. Both Billy Horschel and Jon Rahm have called the pair out, with America's Horschel saying the pair have been hypocritical.
I don't expect the verbal jousting to end there!
Who is the Favorite to win the 2022 BMW PGA Championship
So, with the presence of the LIV contingent spicing things up off the course, will it lead to any inspired performances on the fairways of this PGA Championship event?
The best site for golf betting online certainly think long-standing LIV critic Rory McIlroy is in a prime position to win, as they make him the +600 favorite to win the event.
There's much more to McIlroy being the favorite than his desire to ram his thoughts down the throats of the LIV players though.
Despite him falling short in all four majors, again, McIlroy is enjoying an outstanding season. He capped it off stateside with a win in the FedEx Cup (the third of his career) at East Lake, just under two weeks ago. For that alone, the Irishman is a deserving favorite.
Behind McIlroy in the betting is Jon Rahm at +800, and US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick at +1100. Full golf betting odds follow.
| 2022 BMW PGA Championship Betting |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | +600 | +600 |
| Jon Rahm | +800 | +850 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | +1100 | +1050 |
| Shane Lowry | +1600 | +1600 |
| Viktor Hovland | +2000 | +2200 |
| Billy Horschel | +2800 | +2500 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | +2800 | +2800 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | +3000 | +2800 |
| Talor Gooch | +3000 | +3300 |
| Abraham Ancer | +3300 | +3500 |
| Adam Scott | +3500 | +4000 |
| Thomas Pieters | +4000 | +3300 |
| Branden Grace | +5000 | +4000 |
| Patrick Reed | +5500 | +5000 |
| Sergio Garcia | +7000 | +6500 |
| Justin Rose | +7500 | +7000 |
| Ian Poulter | +12500 | +10000 |
2022 BMW PGA Championship; All You Need To Know
Unfortunately, as golf competitions have early starts, we're looking at a horrible start time in the Eastern Time Zone.
The action will go on into the evening in the UK, ensuring that we still get to see plenty of action. As well as that, the closing stages of the 3rd and 4th rounds will be on in the afternoon ET. So, it's not all bad news.
- What; 2022 BMW PGA Championship
- Where; Wentworth Club, Surrey, England
- Par; 72
- Course Distance; 7,267 Yards
- When; Thursday, September 8th, 2022 - Sunday, September 11th, 2022
- Start Time; 1.40 am ET
The defending champion is the aforementioned Billy Horschel. The Floridian shot a final round of 65 to finish on -19 in 2021. Horschel won by one shot ahead of Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Laurie Canter, and Jamie Donaldson.
2022 BMW PGA Championship Picks
Even though heās the in-form player, with all the LIV golf stuff weighing heavily on his shoulders, I think it could be worth avoiding Rory McIlroy. Heās only +600, and not great value.
Shane Lowry +1600
McIlroyās fellow countryman might be worth a shout though. Shane Lowry is well used to conditions on this side of the pond, and the 2019 British Open winner has been in great form this season, albeit on the American PGA tour.
Even so, Lowry looks like a good bet. As just mentioned, heās had a good consistent year, so at +1600, Iām happy to make Lowry my main golf betting pick.
Check out our BetOnline Sportsbook Review for more great betting offers.
Tyrrell Hatton +3000
Hatton won this event back in 2020, and in the back end of this season, he has at last found some form. Hatton finished T11 at the 2022 British Open Championship, and also managed T8 at Wyndham Championship.
Granted, he didnāt perform as well at FedEx St Judes (T31) and the BMW Championship (T23), but they were still respectable finishing positions. With a less competitive field this week, I feel Tyrrell Hatton is a good value pick at +3000.
Ian Poulter +12500
Finally, our outside bet. Do I go for a LIV golfer to upset everybody?
Hell, yes, why not. Wouldnāt it be just typical to see one of the unpopular guys win? Ian Poulter is someone who likes to stick it up to em, so why not have a small outside bet on the rebellious Poulter to win at +12500?
