Rory McIlroy Top 5:

Rory McIlroy will be extremely popular in the outright market this week after his brilliant victory at the Masters. With the long wait for another major triumph put to rest, McIlroy could easily free up and reel off a series of victories.

The world number two loves Quail Hollow, with his five-shot win last year his fourth success at the course. It is hard to see McIlroy failing to contend and a top five bet in this combination bet looks exceptionally solid. 

Xander Schauffele Top 10:

Xander Schauffele stormed to his first major victory last year in this tournament, and a strong title defence is expected. Schauffele went on to claim the Open later in the summer, and he will be intent on contending for more majors again this season.

A rib injury stalled his progress at the start of this year, but he has shown promising signs over the last month. A tie for eighth at the Masters bodes well, and Schauffele has finished runner-up on his last two starts at Quail Hollow. Expect Schauffele to bank yet another top 10 at the PGA Championship.

Max Homa Top 20:

It is worth an ambitious play with Max Homa to complete this treble by securing a top 20 finish. Homa has been in the doldrums over the last year, but there have been a few signs of his form turning. He ended a run of missed cuts with an impressive tie for 12th at the Masters last month.

An opening 66 last week at the Truist Championship in Philadelphia was another timely boost. Homa has a stellar record at Quail Hollow, with a win and two other top 10s. He also scored four points for the US at the 2022 Presidents Cup, and a top 20 bet merits a bet at one of Homa’s favourite courses.

McIlroy and Scheffler hold extremely strong claims, but Bryson DeChambeau stands out as a huge contender to take on the two favourites. DeChambeau’s form over the last few months has been outstanding, and he comes in off a victory. The two-time major champion won LIV South Korea at the start of this month to end a series of near misses. 

DeChambeau contended all the way last month at the Masters, but a tough final round resulted in fifth place. The power-packed American was fifth before that at LIV Miami and tied for second in Mexico City after leading for most of the tournament. The 31-year-old has positive experience at Quail Hollow, finishing fourth in 2018 and ninth in 2021. DeChambeau leads the LIV tour in driving distance and scrambling this season. All facets of his game are firing, and DeChambeau holds mighty claims to contend at 10/1 each way.

Justin Thomas holds special memories from Quail Hollow, and the two-time PGA champion is backed to land the hat-trick in this major. Thomas clinched his first major title at this course in 2017 and followed up with another victory three years ago at Southern Hills. He also earned four points for the US at the 2022 Presidents Cup held at Quail Hollow. Thomas’ form dropped significantly for a couple of seasons, but since the end of last year, he has enjoyed a major resurgence.

Thomas was runner-up at the American Express and the Valspar Championship before ending his three-year winless run at the RBC Heritage last month. The 16-time PGA Tour winner ranks first for par breakers this season and second for birdie average. First, for putting average is a dramatic transformation on the greens, and Thomas is deservedly back inside the top five of the world rankings. With his confidence and game back, there is no doubt that Thomas is peaking at the perfect time to threaten another major success at 20/1.

Patrick Reed stands out as the most appealing player at a bigger price, with the former Masters champion looking back close to his best. Reed excelled last month at Augusta National with a third-place finish for the 2018 winner. The confident American was also seventh at LIV Miami, and a closing round of 65 helped Reed tie for fourth place on his last start in South Korea. 

Reed also has positive vibes returning to Quail Hollow, and it would be no surprise if he gets into contention. Second place at the 2017 PGA Championship was an excellent effort, and Reed was also sixth in 2021 and eighth in 2018 at the North Carolina course. Renowned as one of the best putters in the world and with an elite short game, Reed can challenge for a second major title at generous odds.