Apparently Tiger Woods only needed one win to make folks forget about a tremendously disappointing multi-year stretch.
Following his five-stroke victory at the recent Arnold Palmer Invitational, odds makers quickly rushed to install Woods as the prohibitive favorite to win at this year’s Masters. Never mind that the man had just earned his first PGA win in over two years without even having to square off against the No. 1 ranked player in the sport – Tiger’s back! Or something.
As it stands now, Woods is 7/2 to win at Augusta. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy (the aforementioned No. 1 ranked player) is listed at 9/1. It will definitely be interesting to see how the talented youngster bounces back from what was an undeniably embarrassing showing last year. (Having the pressure of being the favorite lifted off his shoulders and put onto Tiger’s can’t hurt.) Phil Mickelson, who will be looking for his fourth win at golf’s biggest event, is being listed at 10/1.
Lee Westwood and Luke Donald, two potential sleepers in this year’s proceedings, are both listed at 24/1. Adam Scott and Jason Day, both of whom came close to taking down eventual winner Charl Schwartzel last year, are being listed at 28/1 and 40/1, respectively.
Schwartzel will defend his title listed at 33/1. Regardless of whether or not he ultimately succeeds in his quest to repeat, though, the South African deserves a lot of credit for his activity over the last year. As noted by Fox News, the reigning champ has competed in 22 contests since he put on the green jacket 12 months ago.
This year’s Masters will run from April 5-April 8.
Here is an odds breakdown of (relevant) players worth watching but not listed above (via Bovada): Justin Rose (33/1), Bubba Watson (40/1), Keegan Bradley (40/1), Sergio Garcia (40/1), Dustin Johnson (50/1), Graeme McDowell (50/1), Hunter Mahan (50/1), Martin Kaymer (50/1), Nick Watney (50/1), Steve Strickler (50/1), Webb Simpson (50/1).
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