Tiger mania is back!
After his dramatic win at the 2019 Masters, Tiger Woods is on top of the golf world again. The former #1 golfer in the world completed one of the most stunning comebacks in the history of sports earlier this month when he won at Augusta. Woods had been given up for dead in the last decade or so following a sex scandal and a series of career-threatening injuries. But like a wounded tiger, he fought back and rose from the grave like he was the undertaker.
As Tiger is roaring, the bets are coming. When we say the golf bets are coming, we’re talking of proposition bets or futures bets. Let’s take a look at a pair of Tiger Woods prop bets we found at Bovada as of 4/24/19:
When Woods was in his prime during the 2000s, everyone agreed that he would break Jack’s record of 18. But after the scandal in 2009 and his recent string of serious injuries, the chase was all but abandoned. Just two years ago, we saw Tiger hobble at the Masters and tell the world he wondered if he would ever play golf again. At that time, Jack Nicklaus was sitting pretty on his couch. But after successful back surgery, Woods worked his way back to health and back to the PGA Tour in 2018.
Last year, he won the 2018 Tour Championship to show he was back. There were still many who doubted he could win another major. And then Woods won the 2019 Masters out of nowhere ( or was it coming?) and everyone is talking about breaking the record again. Even Nicklaus himself said after Woods’ win at Augusta that Tiger’s got him shaking in his boots. So will Tiger break Jack’s record?
Jack Nicklaus won a total of 18 major titles. Woods now has 15 after his win at the 2019 Masters so that leaves us with four as the magic number. Now Woods is no longer in his prime. That was more than 10 years ago. But his resilience and brilliance are unbelievable. It’s hard to say that he isn’t going to do it. Not at how good he’s playing right now.
Prediction: Yes +1000
If you look at Golf’s futures odds, you will find out that Tiger Woods is the favorite in all the future and upcoming golf tournaments. Per BetOnline as of 4/24/19:
Ok so the bet makers are riding high on Tiger’s Masters win right now. But it may be more than that, really. If you add up the scores of the world’s top golfers in the last three Majors, you will find out that the golfer who has the highest combined score is well, Tiger Woods, who is three strokes better than everybody else. Take a look at this:
For those thinking Tiger's win might be a fluke …
Combined scoring LAST THREE golf majors:
Tiger Woods 3 strokes better than any golfer in the world! pic.twitter.com/UzZvvCijsb— RJ Bell (@RJinVegas) April 15, 2019
I’m not sure how long he keeps this pace but the way he’s playing, he’s on fire right now and playing well in the majors. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to translate into winning majors.
If you recall, Jack Nicklaus won his 17th major, the 1980 PGA Championship, at the age of 40 years, 6 months and 20 days. He then won his 18th and las major, the 1986 Masters, at the age of 46. So Tiger is 43 and still has three years to win four masters if we are to use Nicklaus’ cutoff of 46 years old. But nobody’s saying that Tiger can’t win after 40. Given how far he’s come back, how good he’s playing and how large the plus money is, I’d take a risk with this one and bet on the yes.
Prediction: Yes
Before his win at Augusta earlier this month, Woods had played 11 years without winning a major golf title. The last time Tiger won multiple majors in a year was in 2006 when he won the 2006 British Open and 2006 PGA Championship. Woods has never won more than two majors in one year. So that means we may have to do away with Exactly 3 and Exactly 4 because those have never happened to Woods before, not even when he was at the peak of his powers. As to Tiger winning one more major this year, the betting gods are saying so because he is favored in the remaining majors of the year. Do I think he will win again this year?
We know now that Tiger is in top form to win again this season. Remember also that the PGA Championship will be played at Bethpage Black where Tiger won the 2002 U.S. Open and that the U.S. Open will be played at Pebble Beach where Tiger has always been dominant. So do I think he wins one more? One out of three isn’t too much to ask of Woods, not at how good he is playing right now in major tournaments.
Prediction: Exactly 2
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