Tiger Woods Masters Odds Shorter Than Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, and Defending Champion Sergio Garcia

Posted on: March 12, 2018, 05:00h. 

Last updated on: March 13, 2018, 10:51h.

Casino.org Staff Writer Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming.

Tiger Woods is now just 10/1 to win next month’s Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

Tiger Woods’ game has seemingly returned to form, and that has fans excited. (Image: Mike Carlson/AP)

The four-time green jacket winner hasn’t even played in the tournament since 2015 where he finished T17. But after a strong T2 performance at last weekend’s Valspar Championship, oddsmakers are shortening his Masters odds in response to a flurry of bettors racing to print tickets with Tiger’s name.

The Westgate SuperBook’s 10/1 line on Woods winning the Masters is shorter than Jordan Spieth (12/1), the 2015 Masters champ who is currently fourth on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). Tiger’s odds are also better than Jon Rahm (14/1), the game’s third-ranked player who has made all seven tournament cuts he’s entered this year, and has tallied a win and a runner-up finish in 2018.

Just two names have shorter Masters odds, and they should come as no surprise. Respectively ranked #1 and #2 in the world, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas have combined won three tournaments on this year’s wraparound season.

DJ and Thomas are at 8/1 to win the Masters. 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia, ranked #9 in the world, is a distant 30/1.

All in a Name?

Aside from the former Masters winners who receive lifetime invitations, the majority of the 2018 field is ranked higher in the OWGR than Tiger Woods. But then again, they aren’t named Tiger Woods.

The top 50 players in the OWGR for the previous calendar year, as well as those in the top 50 the week prior to the Masters, receive an invite to Augusta, Georgia. During his heyday, Tiger qualified in numerous categories, but in 2018, he’ll need to use his lifetime exemption to drive down Magnolia Lane.

As of this week, Woods is ranked #149 in the world after jumping 388 places with his runner-up finish at the Valspar. He entered 2018 ranked #656.

Woods was arrested for prescription drug DUI last May, but bettors didn’t care as Tiger?looked to get back inside the ropes this year.?Though he hadn’t made an official PGA Tour event cut since August 2015, Woods’ Masters odds were just 50/1 at the start of 2018.

Oddsmakers said at the time the continued action on Tiger is of course due to his legendary history. But after a second-place finish, as well as a strong performance at The Honda last month (12th), the enthusiasm might be warranted.

A $100 bet on Woods at 50/1 odds today seems like a nice ticket to hold. Fans and bettors will learn more where Tiger’s game stands at this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

Top 10 and Notables

With Tiger back in the mix, some attractive Masters odds are available on other golfers. Here’s where the remaining top 10 OWGR golfers stand at the SuperBook:

  • #5 Justin Rose (16/1)
  • #6. Hideki Matsuyama (30/1)
  • #7. Rickie Fowler (20/1)
  • #8. Brooks Koepka (60/1)
  • #10. Jason Day (14/1)

Phil Mickelson, who won the WGC-Mexico earlier this month, is at 18/1. Other notable past champions include Bubba Watson (25/1), Adam Scott and Charl Schwartzel (60/1), and Freddy Couples (300/1).