Tiger Woods is a 9/2 favorite to capture the Masters.
Golf's television ratings are reportedly down 18 percent in 2010 without Tiger Woods. Betting on golf has also taken a noticable dip according to the majority of Las Vegas sports book directors. Both concerns are about to get a boost this weekend when Woods returns to compete in the Masters Tournament.
“We have definitely noticed a drop off in the golf handle in the five months since Woods has last played,” reported Las Vegas Sports Consultants senior oddsmaker Mike Seba. “But I have a feeling that is all about to change this weekend.”
“We are expecting very brisk action for this weekend’s Masters,” said Green Valley Ranch sports book manager Kelly Downy. “With college basketball ending and the NBA playoffs not yet underway, this will be a good boost for our sports book’s handle.”
Woods returns to the Tour for the first time in five months since being stung by an embarrassing sex scandal. But that absence doesn’t seem to matter to Las Vegas Sports Consultants oddsmakers, who have installed Woods as a 9/2 favorite to capture the Masters.
“Realistically, Woods should be about 8/1 or 10/1 in this spot because of the time off, but everyone and their sister would bet on him if we made him that high,” said Seba.
“Given the successes Woods has had under the weight of extreme expectations and scrutiny his whole career, we are not willing to discount his chances of competing for a fifth green jacket even if he has been sidelined for nearly five months.”
Woods has 14 major titles and 71 PGA Tour victories to his credit, and five months off won’t diminish the skills that helped him accomplish those feats. But it’s the non-golf issues that might cause Woods some concern.
Seba wonders how Woods will handle the media that will surely be hounding him throughout the Tournament.
“How will the fans treat him as he walks through the gallery?” asks Seba. “Will his nerves, which are usually extremely steady, hold up to all of the media hype?”
Since Augusta National underwent some extensive changes that saw the course lengthened and tightened, it hasn't been the easiest place to play for anybody. Woods hasn't won at Augusta, the only permanent major venue, in five years. Prior to that, he won four times in nine starts. His current run includes two runner-up finishes and ties for third and sixth.
Woods finished at 8-under par in last year’s Masters, which was won by Angel Cabrera.
Cabrera is a 50/1 long shot to defend his title. The 40-year-old native of Argentina was the first South American to slip on the green jacket when he won a three-way playoff with Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell.
It was the fifth three-way playoff at the Masters since 1987 and the 14th overall playoff in Tournament history.
Phil Mickelson, who equaled Augusta’s front-nine scoring record of 30 when he charged up the leaderboard last year, is 10/1. Mickelson closed with a 67 and finished at 9-under-par.
When Steve Stricker won the Northern Trust Open so convincingly in February, it was his fourth PGA Tour victory in his last 15 starts. That wasn’t lost on LVSC oddsmakers, who have made Stricker and his smooth putting stroke 18/1 to win the Masters.
Ernie Els ended two years without a victory by winning his second World Golf Championship title, then made it two in a row with a victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. That made Els the first player in 2010 with multiple U.S. PGA Tour victories. He is 10/1 to win the Masters.
Seven of the top 15 players in the world ranking have won this year, with Els the only multiple winner on the sport’s toughest circuit.
Geoff Ogilvy (18/1) opened his season with another victory at Kapalua. Ian Poulter (30/1) captured his first victory in America.
Camilo Villegas (35/1), who threatened in two tournaments before winning the Honda Classic could be a popular darkhorse at the Masters.
“I think Vellegas has shown great maturity and he is well rested after skipping tournaments the last two weeks,” Seba concluded. “He could be a good investment at 35/1.”
Some of the more popular matchups appear below.
Ernie Els +110 vs. Tiger Woods -140
Lee Westwood -110 vs. Padraig Harrington -120
Steve Stricker +125 vs. Phil Mickelson -155
Geoff Oglivy -115 vs. Jim Furyk -115
For more about this year's Masters, check out the DonBest.com video preview from Pat Williams and Greg Daraban.