Bear Bets" for the 2023 PGA Championship: Fallica's Insightful Picks

Chris "The Bear" Fallica, an experienced sports handicapper, presents his expert predictions for the 2023 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, with a focus on identifying potential underdogs and value bets.

The second major of the year is finally here, as the PGA Championship will tee off Thursday at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Scottie Scheffler is the current betting favorite at +400. Since this is one of the biggest tournaments of the year, let's dive into the wagers I’m making for the event.

Cam Smith is a major champion who should be able to find his way onto the smaller bent greens and make some birdies. He's been outside the top 13 just three times in the last nine majors, and it certainly feels like he's been forgotten about since taking the cash grab on the LIV Tour. But don't make the mistake of forgetting how good of a player he is.

This is career major No. 9 for Theegala, and he has just one top-25 from the previous eight. So the next time he contends will be the first. But he's shown some signs of competing in the bigger events. He finished sixth at Bay Hill, ninth at THE PLAYERS and second in the Sentry. He's one of the better putters on the TOUR and is sixth on TOUR in SG: Total. The PGA has a history of providing some somewhat surprising first-time major winners and Theegala might be one that fits the bill.

Chris Kirk has put together a really nice year with a win right off the bat in Hawaii, three other top-20s — including 16th at the Masters — and three other top-30s. He's a good driver (12th SG off the tee) and has played PGA Championship courses well, finishing 29th, fifth and 31st the last three years.

Yes, I know Noren missed six-straight cuts in majors prior to finishing 23rd at The Open last year, but his game has been solid this year. The 41-year-old hasn't missed a cut this season and has seven-straight top-25 finishes, including a third two weeks ago at the Byron Nelson.

I'm going to assume Aberg took last week off as a precaution to be ready for Valhalla. His 2024 is only lacking a win. Runner-up at Augusta and Pebble, top-10s in the Farmers and PLAYERS. I certainly trust him over 72 holes to handle the erratic Dechambeau.

In addition to these outright and head-to-head wagers, I also like the following players to finish in the top 20:

**Denny McCarthy +320

Aaron Wise +260

Lucas Herbert +160

Max Homa +150**

Remember, these are just my picks and betting on golf is never a sure thing. But if you're looking for some potential value bets for the 2023 PGA Championship, I hope this article has given you some ideas. Good luck to all who are wagering on the tournament, and may the best players win!