Sportsbooks ponder who will benefit with Tiger out of action
Golf odds in upcoming tournaments will surely be affected now that Tiger Woods is out for an indeterminable period of time. Woods impressed the sports book and those who bet on sports alike, gutting his way through 91 holes at the US Open this weekend, playing on a gimpy knee he had surgically repaired in April. After four rounds and a 19-hold playoff, Woods called the performance his “greatest tournament ever”, but he also said he'd be taking an extended period of time away from competitive golf to rest his leg.
The British Open is a month away and it's a good bet Woods will at least try to get back into shape for then. In the meantime, with the world's reigning proverbial favorite sidelined, the field is left wide open for some other players to cash in. The Buick Open, AT&T National and John Deere Classic take play between now and the British Open.
Brian Bateman is the Buick Open's defending champion, though he's struggled this season, having missed the cut in three of the last four tournaments he's participated in. Since the Buick takes place shortly after the US Open, expect most of the bigger names to take the weekend off and a lesser-known golfer to earn the purse.
The AT&T National, hosted by Woods himself, should see the return of a few bigger names as they begin tuning up for the British Open. K.J. Choi won the $6-million purse in last year's inaugural tournament. Choi has missed the cut in three of his last four tries. He he has three top-10 finishes and a victory in the Sony Open in 2008, though, so he's got the juice to become a back-to-back champion.
Odds are the John Deere Classic will draw some attention, as it usually does. That's because in the past few years organizers have created an exception to allow the LPGA's Michelle Wie join the competition. Wie might make an interesting gamble to win the tourney and would give sports bettors a huge payout, but calling her an underdog is underestimate; she's struggled in each Deere appearance. Reigning champion Jonathan Byrd missed the cut at the US Open, but he's enjoying a solid season with two top-10 finishes. He finished fourth at the AT&T Classic in May.
With Tiger Woods injured, golf odds will surely reflect a wide-open field. Until he rehabs himself and returns to action, likely for the British Open, bettors—and sportsbooks—will have a tough time picking the favorites.
Marco Sussman isn't too bad on the links, reportedly a five handicap. But, he's great in the sports betting game. He'll watch just about anything you put in front of him, but golf is what really gets his juices flowing. Thoughts or questions?
