PGA Championship: Expert bets for Round 2 at Valhalla

It looks as if Xander Schauffele is going to hold onto the lead at the PGA Championship after a sizzling 9-under 63 on Thursday morning. Ahead of the second round on Friday, let's take a look at two matchup bets we're targeting based on some stats from Round 1. 

Round 2 matchup: Stephan Jaeger > Corey Conners (+105 DraftKings)

Stephan Jaeger played a brilliant round of golf from tee to green on Thursday, but he didn't score as well as he should've due to some putting woes. The German missed six putts from inside 10 feet, including an inexplicable miss from 18 inches on the par-3 11th hole. He currently ranks 147th out of 156 players in strokes gained from putting in the first round.

As for the ball striking, though, he ranks 12th in the field in strokes gained from off the tee and fourth in strokes gained on approach. Not many players in the field hit the ball better than Jaeger on Thursday. Corey Conners shot the same score as Jaeger but did it with less-than-stellar ball-striking numbers. We'll take a chance on Jaeger bouncing back with his putter after a poor showing in Round 1. 

Round 2 matchup: Hideki Matsuyama > Sahith Theegala (-105 DK)

Sahith Theegala was the complete opposite of Jaeger in Round 1. The American shot a 6-under 65, but he gained almost all of his strokes with his short game. Theegala currently ranks second in the field in strokes gained from putting and third in strokes gained around the green. He made a 19-footer for birdie on the eighth hole, a 33-footer for birdie on the ninth hole, a 25-footer for birdie on the 18th hole and chipped in for birdie on the 11th hole. That short-game magic isn't going to last all week.

Meanwhile, Hideki Matsuyama shot a 1-under 70 but ranks 105th in the field in strokes gained from putting and 131st in strokes gained from off the tee. He does rank ninth in strokes gained on approach, which is the biggest indicator of success going forward. Matsuyama is normally a great driver of the golf ball, and he gained strokes from off the tee in five straight starts leading up to this week. Thursday's driver performance was an aberration for him, and he should have a much better day with that club in Round 2.