Koepka, Fowler the new favorites heading to Round 2
Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler are listed as the new betting favorites to win the PGA Championship after the opening round Thursday.
Koepka fired a 3-under 68 in the morning to sit one shot off the lead held by Kevin Kisner and Thorbjorn Olesen, while Fowler rebounded from a triple-bogey on his front nine to post a 2-under 69 in the afternoon rounds. Both players are listed at 6-1 to win the tournament in Bodog's updated odds.
Pre-tournament favorite Rory McIlroy struggled on the backside of his 18 holes on Friday, finishing at 1-over par, five shots off the lead. Despite that deficit, the 28-year-old is still listed third at 9-1 to win the event. Hideki Matsuyama built off last week's win at the WGC-Bridgestone with a 1-under 71 and is also 9-1 to win the tournament.
Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth are next on the betting board at 10-1 and 14-1 respectively, while co-leader Kisner is 16-1 to hold the lead through Sunday's conclusion.
| Place | Player | Score | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-3 | Brooks Koepka | -3 | 6-1 |
| T-8 | Rickie Fowler | -2 | 6-1 |
| T-33 | Rory McIlroy | +1 | 9-1 |
| T-15 | Hideki Matsuyama | -1 | 9-1 |
| T-15 | Dustin Johnson | -1 | 10-1 |
| T-33 | Jordan Spieth | +1 | 14-1 |
| T-1 | Kevin Kisner | -4 | 16-1 |
| T-15 | Jon Rahm | -1 | 16-1 |
| T-8 | Paul Casey | -2 | 22-1 |
| T-15 | Jason Day | -1 | 22-1 |
| T-8 | Tony Finau | -2 | 25-1 |
| T-3 | Gary Woodland | -3 | 25-1 |
HEADLINES
- Woods released on bail after arrest at crash scene on suspicion of DUI
- Woodland surges to 3-shot lead at Houston Open
- Woods' rollover crash is 4th high-profile car crash, 2nd DUI arrest
- Waring grabs opening-round lead at Houston Open with 63
- Houston Open bets: Targeting 5 long hitters who can overpower Memorial Park