US PGA Championship / Paul Krishnamurty / 11 August 2009 /

Outsiders have dominated the majors in 2009 so what are the chances of another upset this weekend? Paul Krishnamurty profiles four players who could help you land a big price at Hazeltine...

In what may come to be remembered as golf's 'Year of the Outsider', all three major champions so far have started in triple figures; Angel Cabrera was available at [150.00] before landing the Masters, peanuts compared to the [450.00] on offer about US Open champ Lucas Glover, or [320.00] chance Stewart Cink in the Open. Will we see a clean sweep completed at this week's US PGA Championship? Here's my best four outside bets for Hazeltine.

Ian Poulter @ [110.00]

With Tiger in dominant form right now, all sorts of top-class characters start in the 100/1+ range. Poulter, for example, is double the price available for last month's Open; which seems an over-reaction to one admittedly terrible performance.

Prior to Turnberry, he'd looked an imminent winner, with top-5s in the two biggest non-majors of the season at Sawgrass and Quail Hollow the highlights of an impressively consistent season. Poulter's forte has been relentless accuracy off the tee, and that may prove to be the most significant statistic at Hazeltine.

Mike Weir @ [140.00]

Weir's first ever foray into the big-time came in this major 10 years ago. Leading going into the final day, inexperience took its toll and he ended up shooting 80. In the decade since, Weir has won a Masters title and built up an impressive portfolio of high finishes in majors; amounting to 19 top-20 finishes including 11 top-10s.

That record suggests two things. Firstly, he is well up to winning another major. Secondly, given the likelihood of his presence on a weekend leaderboard, odds of [140.00] must represent some trading value.

Justin Leonard @ [150.00]

Considering that the last time the PGA was held at Hazeltine, Leonard led going into the final day before dropping back to fourth, [150.00] seems a massive price. He's in at least as good form this time around, finishing a close eighth in the Open and following up with a top-15 in the Buick Open.

The stats from 2002 emphasise the importance of driving accuracy and good putting on this course. Now as then, Leonard is one of the very best across both departments.

Brandt Snedeker @ [360.00]

For my money, Snedeker represents the best value of anyone at these enormous odds. Having made the top-five in three of his last five starts, there are very few players with better recent form.

Nor is this high-class prospect out of his depth in this high-calibre company by any means. In his first two years as a fully qualified PGA Tour player, he made the top-25 in five of his first six majors, the highlight of which was third place at Augusta. In my view, Snedeker's best form will be seen on tough courses like Hazeltine.

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