Justin Thomas made history Sunday by coming from seven back to win the PGA Championship. The seven-stroke deficit entering the final round tied the largest PGA comeback in the tournament s 106-year history.
Justin Thomas poses with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the 104th PGA Championship at Southern Hills in Oklahoma on May 22, 2022. Thomas win was seen as a win-win for oddsmakers and bettors alike. (Image: Getty)The 29-year-old Thomas fired a three-under 67 yesterday to finish the tournament at -5. Chilean newcomer Mito Pereira seemed under control throughout most of the final round. But the leader faltered on the 72nd hole with a wayward drive on the 18th hole that ended up in a water hazard.
After Pereira made a double bogey to finish at -4, a playoff between Thomas and Will Zalatoris ensued. Zalatoris made clutch eight-footers on the final two holes to also finish at -5.
Thomas affectionally known as JT outdueled Zalatoris in the three-hole aggregate playoff with two birdies and a par. Thomas hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy for a second time, his first major coming in 2017 at the PGA at Quail Hollow.
Thomas come-from-behind win turned out to be a winner for both the betting public and oddsmakers. Thomas was responsible for about 4% of the betting tickets and money at legal sportsbooks in the US.
Favorites FalterHeading into the PGA at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Ok., world no. 1 Scottie Scheffler presented . BetMGM revealed that the 2022 Masters champ was on 11% of its PGA tickets, and responsible for 20% of the tournament betting money.
Even though Scheffler had the shortest odds of the 156-player field, such large action would have been devastating for books should he have won. Instead, Scheffler missed the cut.
Other pre-tournament front-runners who never mustered much of a serious run included Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, and Xander Schauffele.
Though Tiger Woods remains injured from his that nearly claimed his life, the 15-time major winner still attracted much betting action. Woods, despite limping around Southern Hills yet somehow still managing to find a way to make the cut, was responsible for nearly 5% of the handle and tickets. But after a third-round 79, Woods withdrew, citing injury.
Win-WinPereira was playing in just his 28th start on the PGA Tour. As such, he didn t exactly garner many bets before the tournament. BetMGM said Pereira was responsible for just 0.2% of its tickets and essentially 0% of the overall money bet.
The SuperBook in Las Vegas reported taking only eight bets on Pereira prior to Thursday s opening round. However, one was for $100. With Pereira as long as 150/1, such a win would have been a major blow to the house.
Thomas winning was certainly no major surprise. Most sportsbooks had him around 14/1 to 16/1 prior to the first round. But Saturday night still presented bettors with a handsome opportunity for those who had the foresight to predict such a historic comeback.
Thomas was around 25/1 to 30/1 prior to Sunday s round due to being seven back of Pereira. At those odds, bettors who risked $100 on Thomas prior to Sunday s showdown netted $2,500 to $3,000.
