Tiger Woods playing in Major Championships has become a familiar dance for bookmakers at this point and although they know, as well as punters, that it’s unlikely for Woods to with The Open this year, that hasn’t stopped golf supporters from piling on the money on Woods to win.
Bookmakers know that it is very unlikely that Woods wins the upcoming 2022 Open Championship but they weren’t born yesterday so they’re also aware that even if they lengthen Woods’ odds every so slightly, they’ll get enough ‘Tiger Money’ that another fairytale victory would absolutely crush them. It’s all about finding that sweet spot for both sides of the window.
Bookies want to put out a number that will attract as many punters as possible, while also not putting out a number that could put themselves in a very bad spot should the unthinkable happen…as with Tiger, you never really know especially as he showed strength and consistency in JP McManus Pro Am at Adare Manor the other week. And most of us remember the 2019 Masters as a reason to back Woods as an outsider.
Woods was 50/1 to win the Masters and 66/1 to win the PGA Championship, which both look long enough to casual punters and Tiger fans to be enticing, while also not even coming close to representing his true odds, which are likely somewhere in the triple-digits.
At the time of writing, Woods is 66/1 to win the Open at St Andrews and once again, it seems like bookmakers have found that sweet spot. As it stands, 7.4% of bets are currently backing Woods, which makes him the bookies biggest liability.
Having said that, judging from Woods’ last few tournaments, playing four days in the bounce seems to put incredible stress on Tiger’s body, so based on that, bookies should be fairly comfortable with the big liability.
Woods is one of the absolute greatest golfer to walk on earth so yes, there’s a small chance he can overcome the odds to lift his fourth Claret Jug and first since 2006… but if it doesn’t happen, bookmakers will find themselves in a terrific position…again!”
