Fifteen years ago, a dollar bet on Keegan Bradley would’ve won $125.
Ten years ago, a buck on Jimmy Walker would’ve earned the same return.
Five years ago, that wager on Phil Mickelson would’ve brought home $250.
Hmm.
Could the underdog-winning-every-five-years trend continue this week at the PGA Championship? The odds are, well, long. For various reasons, players aren’t favorites, and what’s happened here is very likely coincidental.
Then again, who doesn’t like a good story line?
Should you have some buy-in to that thought, members of our staff have each made a long-shot selection to assist you. It’s an enjoyable endeavor for us. Deploy it as you wish.
On to our analysis.
2026 PGA Championship sleeper picks to watch
Josh Berhow
Sleeper pick: Kristoffer Reitan, +8,000. Don’t overthink it — he just won on Sunday and is still a long shot! All of these guys are good — but it’s hard not to like the one who was just better than everyone through 72 holes.
James Colgan
Sleeper pick: Daniel Berger, +22,500. I probably wouldn’t take him to win this golf tournament, but it wouldn’t shock me if he delivered a surprisingly competitive performance in Philly.
Dylan Dethier
Sleeper pick: Matt McCarty, +15,000. McCarty is playing really, really well. Don’t sleep on him! And let’s plunge much deeper for Ben Polland (+200,000), a talented club pro who could clock a top 40 here if all goes well.
Jack Hirsh
Sleeper pick: Jordan Spieth, +8,000. Let’s have some fun, shall we. Grand slam, here we come.
Jessica Marksbury
Sleeper pick: Min Woo Lee, +6,000. Aronimink feels like a course where Min Woo can shine and play to his off-the-tee strengths. Plus, he’s been trending up recently, finishing tied for 18th at the Cadillac and tied for 14th at last week’s Truist.
Nick Piastowski
Sleeper pick: Gary Woodland, +10,000. This would be one of the better stories in golf — but Woodland has also played solid golf this year. He’s posted four top 25 finishes, including a win.
Josh Schrock
Sleeper pick: Rickie Fowler, +5,000: I’m just going to go back to the sleeper well with Fowler. He has been playing consistently good golf this season and has rediscovered the feel with his putter. Carded top-10s at the RBC Heritage and Doral. Could easily see him contending in Philly with his iron game.
Josh Sens
Sleeper pick: Keegan Bradley, +9,000. His heart might still be broken from the Ryder Cup, but his game has been coming together nicely lately. And we know he relishes the big stages.
Johnny Wunder
Sleeper pick: Patrick Cantlay, +4,500. Great ballpark for him, especially if the scores are low, which I’ve heard they might try to encourage. Pat is still the quiet assassin he’s always been. If he can get into the top of the board early in the week, my hunch is he stays there till the end.