Golf Betting: Tiger’s Odds Cut for US Masters

In the wake of Tiger Woods’ last-gasp victory in the Bay Hill Invitational, bookmaker William Hill have slashed the odds on Woods winning the US Masters from 9/4 to just 7/4. Woods’ Bay Hill triumph was only his third competitive appearance after eight months on the sidelines following reconstructive knee surgery and his sixth win in the event.

However, despite the lengthy layoff, it appears Woods has returned to the fairways better than ever and that has the bookies running scared of the American winning at Augusta in April. For thousands of William Hill punters, Woods’ return to form has seen them collect on the US Masters already, as Hills have reportedly paid out to those who had bet the world’s Number One to win the first Major before he had even returned to action.

Similarly, William Hills’ odds on the number of Majors won by Tiger in 2009 have also been subject to change following his Orlando victory and Hills offer 13/8 that Tiger wins no Majors this season; 6/4 that he wins just one; 11/4 that he picks up any two; 11/1 any three, and 20/1 about a clean sweep of all four Majors.

Meanwhile, Irishman Padraig Harrington can be backed at 150/1 with William Hills to complete his own ‘Grand Slam’ by capturing both the US Masters and US Open to add to his British Open and USPGA successes.

‘In all the hype over Tiger’s return people have forgotten that Padraig Harrington has won the last two Majors and could have his own ‘Padraig’-Slam to boast about if he collects the next two,’ said William Hills spokesman, Graham Sharpe.

Will there be More Wildcard Options for Monty?

At the next Ryder Cup committee meeting, due to be held on the eve of the Irish Open in May, one of the subjects to be discussed will be the number of European wild card picks afforded to the captain.

Currently that number is two, and recent Ryder Cup captains have been restricted in their choices. However, the European captain for the 2010 renewal, Scot Colin Montgomerie is hopeful that that number will be increased, especially in light of 2008’s US captain, Paul Azinger, being handed four picks.

Montgomerie said of the discussions surrounding the possibility of altering the number of wild card picks:

“I think options in life is always a good thing in life … When you don’t have them you struggle. The 10 and two situation for the European team was working because we were winning. Now we have lost do we change the system, do we go 9-3, 8-4 like the Americans?

“It will be discussed at length and set in stone. I have my own views – options are good and I would like a little more than I have now.”

Currently, the European team is made up of the top-10 eligible players who have amassed the most Ryder Cup points from the eligible qualifying European Tour events. The remaining two members of the team are selected by the team captain.

Bookmaker William Hill are even offering odds on how many picks Monty will be awarded at the meeting with odds of 1/3 available that his wild card picks will be increased to three, while 9/1 can be had for four picks. An unchanged two wild card picks can be backed at 5/2, while a little more outlandish is the 66/1 about Monty having no picks and 20/1 for only a single pick.

Hills price the European team at 10/11 to win back the Ryder Cup at Wales’ Celtic Manor venue, with the USA team 11/10 and 10/1 for a tie.

“We know Monty wants more control and expect the committee to meet him half way,” said Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams.

Tiger Woods is Bookies’ Favourite to Make a Winning Comeback

He may have been out for eight months after undergoing knee surgery, but Tiger Woods has been installed as is the 9/2 favourite by bookmaker William Hill to win his first tournament back – the Accenture World Matchplay. Hills rate Tiger at 1/4 to win his first round against Australian Brenden Jones, who can be backed to cause an upset at 14/5.

“We see Tigers return as a mixed blessing, tournament turnover with Tiger is at least double but we are constantly facing huge liabilities. If any other top ten player had been out with a similar injury we would be 33/1 for them to win, Tiger is 9/2, which tells the story,” said Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams.

William Hill have also priced up odds on when Tiger may be eliminated from the tournament should he progress past the first round. Punters can back Tiger to be packing his bags at 5/2 for a second round exit; 4/1 for a third round departure; 13/2 for a Quarter Final exit and 10/1 to lose in the semi-final. Additionally, Tiger can be backed at 14/1 about finishing as runner-up, with 9/2 available for him to win the tournament outright.

Punters who fancy Tiger to win any of the Majors can also bet on which Major tournament he will capture first this season, as well as the total number of Majors he will win.

Hills’s odds for betting on the number of Major tournament wins by Tiger Woods in the next year:
• 11/10 No Major wins
• 2/1 One Major win
• 11/4 Two Major wins
• 14/1 Three Major wins
• 33/1 Four Major wins

Hills odds for betting on Tiger Woods’ next Major tournament victory:

• 9/4 US Masters 2009,
• 4/1 US Open 2009,
• 11/2 Open 2009,
• 13/2 PGA 2009,
• 7/1 US Masters 2010,
• 10/1 US Open 2010,
• 8/1 Open 2010,
• 20/1 USPGA 2010

William Hill also offers odds of 11/2 against Tiger winning any Major championships in the next two years.