2026 PGA Championship Sleepers: Will Tommy Fleetwood Finally Win a Major?

1. Tommy Fleetwood (+2500)

Tommy Fleetwood is a tough player to figure out for the PGA Championship. He has a very solid all-around game that can work on almost any course. His short game is especially strong, ranking 14th in scrambling and third in scrambling from the rough. He does a fantastic job avoiding big mistakes that can ruin a round in a major tournament, as the Englishman ranks T16 in bogey avoidance, which is key at Aronimink Golf Club.

Top 5 finish for Tommy Fleetwood at the @TruistChamp.

Next stop: @PGAChampionship 👀 pic.twitter.com/Aun7Gu1Jfp

— Los Angeles Golf Club (@WeAreLAGC) May 10, 2026

It should also be noted that Fleetwood shot back-to-back 62s on this golf course in 2018 at the BMW Championship. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Kevin Na also shot 62s at Aronimink at that tournament, where Fleetwood finished T8.

The problem is that Fleetwood has often come close in majors, but has never won one. He has several top-five finishes, but none since a T3 at the 2024 Masters. He also has just one PGA Tour victory. Some people wonder if he has the extra level needed to beat the very best players when the pressure is highest. That said, Fleetwood won the 2025 Tour Championship, which gave him the FedEx Cup.

Fleetwood is good at many things, but he is not truly dominant in one area. Major championships are typically won by players who can overpower a course with one special skill.

At +2500, bettors are hoping this is finally the week Fleetwood breaks through as the best PGA Championship sleeper. Could this be the year he finally wins a major?

2. Justin Rose (+5000)

Justin Rose looks interesting at first because he has a strong history in major championships. He won the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club, which is a 20-minute drive from Aronimink. The Englishman also won the AT&T National here in 2010. Rose also finished second in a playoff to Keegan Bradley at Aronimink at the 2018 BMW Championship, showing he can play well at this course.

@TruistChamp ready!! pic.twitter.com/GKv6Ce7iOb

— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) May 6, 2026

However, his recent form has not been good. Since Augusta, Rose has finishes of T65 and T45. You’d be betting on Rose to find top form for another major championship.

At 45 years old, Rose needs every part of his game working perfectly to compete against younger players. He seemed to fade on the back nine at Augusta as Rose held the lead. His past success is impressive, but it may not matter much if he is not playing well today.

The +5000 odds may look tempting, but this feels more like a bet based on his name and reputation than his current game. But “Rosey” has gotten up for the majors before, and he offers a terrific return!

3. Chris Gotterup (+5500)

Chris Gotterup at +5500 could be one of the best PGA Championship sleeper picks out there. He already has two wins in 2026, at the Sony Open in Hawaii, and the Waste Management Phoenix Open, proving that he is playing excellent golf right now.

Chris Gotterup ties the lowest nine-hole score on TOUR at Quail Hollow Club with a 29 🔥

Hot Streak presented by @ChipotleTweets.

This one is a gimme. First 5,000 fans who text CLUB35971 to 888-222 get a BOGO entree @ChipotleTweets. pic.twitter.com/jWdkHBVyOL

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 9, 2026

The 25-year-old has the kind of game that fits Aronimink well. He hits the ball a long way off the tee (fifth in driving distance), although it’s not always accurate (142nd in driving accuracy). He has been putting very well this season, ranking 48th in SG: Putting. Those are two important strengths on a course that rewards aggressive play.

Again, Gotterup is not always accurate off the tee, but he is plenty long enough with a 3-wood, which might be the play. His power allows him to recover from mistakes, and his two victories against strong fields this year show that he knows how to manage his game under pressure.

At +5500, there is strong value in a player who is already winning tournaments and gaining confidence. For a PGA Championship sleeper pick, Gotterup has the talent and recent form to make a serious run.

4. Rickie Fowler (+6000)

Rickie Fowler at +6000 is an interesting PGA Championship sleeper pick, but there are still some concerns. He finished eighth at Aronimink in 2018, which shows he can play well on this course. He has also recorded top-10 finishes in his last three tournaments, including a T2 at the Truist Championship, showing that his game is becoming more consistent. His putting can still be one of the best parts of his game when he gets hot, as Fowler is 12th in SG: Putting.

RICKIE FOWLER CO-LEADING AT QUAIL HOLLOW ‼️😤

Birdie on 10 with a packed leaderboard close behind

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/0msDiCiX6E

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 10, 2026

The biggest concern is his recent performance in major championships. Fowler has struggled in golf’s biggest events over the last few years. He hasn’t had a top-10 in a major since a T5 at the 2023 U.S. Open, and didn’t qualify for the last two Masters, as well as the 2025 U.S. Open. There is a big difference between playing well in regular PGA Tour events and competing under the pressure of a major championship on Sunday, as Fowler knows all too well.

The +6000 odds may seem attractive because of his recent form, but bettors are still hoping he can finally break through in a major. While Fowler’s strong putting gives him a chance, putting alone usually is not enough to win a major if the rest of the game is not sharp.

5. Russell Henley (+6000)

Russell Henley is intriguing because he has been very consistent in recent major championships. He has finished in the top 10 in three straight majors, including a T3 at the Masters, which shows he can handle tough competition.

🚨👀 Russell Henley is on property at the PGA Championship as he searches for his first Major Victory. pic.twitter.com/qREvRZt3ma

— HENLEY LEGION (@HenleyLegion) May 11, 2026

Henley’s game is built around avoiding mistakes and playing steady golf. Henley ranks third on the PGA Tour in bogey avoidance behind Scottie Scheffler and Cam Young. That style often works well in majors, where staying patient is essential. He’s not long off the tee, but Henley hits a ton of fairways (second in driving accuracy). He also ranks 32nd in SG: Putting, and first in scrambling.

Still, there are questions about whether Henley can actually win a major. There is a big difference between finishing in the top 10 and truly competing for the championship on Sunday. So far, Henley has not shown that extra level needed to close out a major victory.

The +6000 odds seem fair. Bettors would need Henley to take a major step forward at exactly the right time. While he is consistent, it is unclear if his overall game is strong enough to win against the best players in the world. Other PGA Championship sleeper picks may offer more upside at similar odds.