Can Tiger Woods become a Masters champion again? Some bettors think so, and are putting their money on it in a big way.
$10K on Woods
As March Madness nears, the tune-up tournaments toward the Masters, which are held April 11-14 at Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia, are in full swing. This means that betting on the Masters — golf’s biggest event — is also on course.
The games’ biggest name just had a big bet placed on him. Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas took a $10,000 bet on Woods to win the 2019 Masters at 12 to 1 odds.
just took 10k on @TigerWoods to win 2019 Masters at 12/1
— Jeff Sherman (@golfodds) February 28, 2019
The ‘Tiger’ effect
Jeff Sherman is the vice president of risk management and golf oddsmaker at the SuperBook. Westgate SuperBook has the biggest menu of golf betting options and matchups in Vegas. Last year’s Masters drew a record handle at the SuperBook, thanks to Woods.
“Tiger’s effect has been about 30 percent extra to what we normally do,” Sherman said.
Last year, the SuperBook had 100 Masters props, while in more recent years, the SuperBook would post about 40 props.
Woods ranked first in ticket count to win. This year will have more Woods props after many bettors lost in the 2018 Masters when Woods finished tied for 32nd and 1-over par with the best score of 69 in the final round.
Woods prop bets
- Will Tiger finish in the Top 5? Yes +300; No -400
- Will Tiger finish in the Top 10? Yes +155; No -175
- Will Tiger finish in the Top 20? Yes -160; No +140
- Lowest round shot by Woods: 68.5
“Any time Tiger plays, he garners so much attention from the general public that his odds are generally half of what they would be had his name not been associated with the odds,” Sherman said.
Last season, Woods returned to relevance brought more fans and betting interest to golf. In fact, in late 2017 before Woods made his 2018 debut, Woods was 100-1 to win the Masters.
The SuperBook took 30 bets on Woods at long odds. By the time the 2018 Masters arrived, Woods was the betting favorite at odds as low as 6-1, and record betting on the Masters was reported.
Woods’ last major victory
Woods last significant win was his 14th in 2008 when he won the US Open at Torrey Pines on the first sudden death hole following an 18-hole playoff.
Woods won the 2018 Tour Championship at East Lake in September for his 80th career PGA Tour victory; the event drew the highest-ever TV rating for a FedEx Cup Playoff event.
Woods is a four-time Masters champion (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005). He tied for 17th in the 2015 Masters at 5-under par. He did not play in 2016 or 2017 due to health and injury issues.
Woods sitting out
Woods was scheduled to return to Bay Hill this week for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he has won eight times in 18 starts. But he announced Monday afternoon that he would miss the tournament.
1) Unfortunately due to a neck strain that I’ve had for a few weeks, I'm forced to withdraw from the API. I’ve been receiving treatment, but it hasn't improved enough to play. My lower back is fine, and I have no long-term concerns, and I hope to be ready for The Players.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 4, 2019
Woods will likely play next week in the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass as he makes the Florida swing in preparation for next month’s Masters.
His health and odds to win will be watched closely as well, but they can’t go much lower unless he wins an event or seriously contends leading up to the Masters. For now, one bettor thought 12-1 was good enough and hopes Woods will play at Augusta and turn his $10,000 into $120,000 with a Masters victory.
Whether you’re betting on golf or playing daily fantasy sports and fantasy golf, the Masters will be a major betting event to enjoy and be engaged in as Woods continues his pursuit of another major victory.
2019 Masters odds (Updated March 4)
Here’s a look at where things stand for betting on the Masters:
| Player | FanDuel | BetStars | Westgate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rory McIllroy | +950 | +1100 | +1200 |
| Dustin Johnson | +1100 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Justin Thomas | +1200 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Tiger Woods | +1300 | +1400 | +1200 |
| Justin Rose | +1300 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Jordan Spieth | +1500 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Jon Rahm | +1700 | +1800 | +1800 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | +1700 | +1800 | +1800 |
| Brooks Koepka | +1900 | +1800 | +1600 |
| Rickie Fowler | +2100 | +2000 | +1600 |
| Jason Day | +2800 | +2500 | +2000 |
| Phil Mickelson | +3100 | +3000 | +2500 |
| Adam Scott | +3200 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Bubba Watson | +3200 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | +3500 | +4000 | +3000 |
| Tony Finau | +3500 | +4000 | +2500 |
| Patrick Reed | +3600 | +3300 | +3500 |
| Xander Schauffele | +3600 | +3300 | +3500 |
| Marc Leishman | +4600 | +5000 | +4000 |
| Patrick Cantlay | +4600 | +6600 | +6000 |
| Paul Casey | +4600 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | +4600 | +3300 | +3000 |
| Francesco Molinari | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Henrik Stenson | +5500 | +6000 | +6000 |
| Gary Woodland | +5500 | +6600 | +6000 |
| Sergio Garcia | +5500 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Cameron Smith | +5500 | +6600 | +6000 |
| Matt Kuchar | +5500 | +5000 | +4000 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | +5500 | +5000 | +6000 |
| Haotong Li | +7500 | +8000 | +10000 |
| Webb Simpson | +7500 | +8000 | +8000 |
| Branden Grace | +11000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Alex Noren | +16000 | +8000 | +10000 |
| Billy Horschel | +16000 | +10000 | +12500 |
| Zach Johnson | +16000 | +10000 | +10000 |
