The 2026 PGA Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown at the historic Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., and all eyes are on world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as he aims to defend his title. Scheffler, who cruised to a five-stroke victory last year over Harris English, Bryson DeChambeau, and Davis Riley, is chasing a rare feat: becoming the first back-to-back PGA Championship winner since Brooks Koepka in 2018 and 2019. Tiger Woods, a two-time back-to-back champion (1999-2000 and 2006-2007), is not in the field this year, leaving the stage wide open for Scheffler to make history.
Action tees off Thursday at Aronimink, a classic Pennsylvania layout known for its tree-lined fairways and demanding greens. Scheffler enters as the +480 favorite, but he's not the only star in the mix. Rory McIlroy (+850), Cameron Young (+1200), Jon Rahm (+1300), and Xander Schauffele (+1600) are all poised to challenge. But before you place your bets, you'll want to check out the expert insights from SportsLine golf analyst David Bearman, who has a proven track record of picking winners.
Bearman, a former ESPN golf researcher and betting columnist, has been on fire in 2026. He's already cashed in on Cam Young at The Players Championship, Matt Fitzpatrick at the RBC Heritage, and Young again at the Cadillac Championship, racking up more than 18 units in profit. Now, he's zeroed in on the PGA Championship field, offering predictions, sleeper picks, and golfers to avoid.
One of Bearman's boldest calls? He's fading rising star Ludvig Åberg, despite the 26-year-old Swede being among the top-10 favorites. Åberg is still searching for his first major win, with his best finish coming at the 2024 Masters (second place). His U.S. Open record includes a 12th-place finish in 2024, and he placed 23rd at The Open Championship in 2025. But here's the red flag: Åberg missed the cut at the PGA Championship in both 2024 and 2025.
"Simply put, I don't trust Åberg with it all on the line on Sunday," Bearman told SportsLine. "Yet, he may very well prove me wrong."
Whether you're looking to back Scheffler's dominance or hunt for value in the field, Bearman's analysis could be your ticket to a winning weekend. For more details, including his full predictions and sleeper picks, head over to SportsLine.