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Tiger Woods is Favored to Win 2019 Masters After Tour Championship

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in Golf

Updated Mar 31, 2020 · 3:13 PM PDT

Tiger Woods
After winning the 2018 Tour Championship, Tiger Woods now finds himself as the favorite to win the 2019 Masters. Photo by Angela George (Wiki Commons) CC License
  • Tiger Woods won the 2018 Tour Championship
  • He now finds himself as the favorite to win the 2019 Masters
  • See the odds for all top contenders

Be careful what you wish for because those dreams may turn into a nightmare.

Golf’s young crop hadn’t seen Tiger Woods at peak form and they’ve wanted to see him dominate again. Well, that time is upon us and those that could only dream to see his greatness again may find Tiger ripping out their hearts like he did so many of his peers in his prime.

Tiger won the Tour Championship Sunday for his first victory in five years and served notice: I’m out for blood.

Tiger’s textbook performance Sunday at East Lake provided a glimpse into a bright future.

Following that dominant display, Tiger has been installed as the betting favorite to win next year’s Masters and is the co-favourite for the U.S. Open & Open Championship, with the PGA the lone major that he’s not in the pole position.

Tiger’s victory yesterday lifted him above all of Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth in average odds to win the 2019 Masters.

Odds to win 2019 Masters

Player Odds to win the 2019 Masters
Tiger Woods +850
Jordan Spieth +900
Rory McIlroy +1000
Dustin Johnson +1200
Justin Thomas +1200

Should Tiger be favored to win the Masters?

The simple answer is absolutely.

He’s won the event four times and almost always finds his way into contention. However, the anticipation and scrutiny will be at an insane all-time high going into 2019’s first major for Tiger, a place he hasn’t won at since 2005.

Where is the value in 2019 Masters Betting?

I like Dustin Johnson of these big names to somehow fly under the radar and finally get it done at Augusta, following three straight top 10’s there (not including 2017, when he had to withdraw with a back injury despite being the overwhelming favorite.)

Also, how could you not love the criminally underappreciated Justin Rose – the 2013 U.S. Open Champ, Olympic gold medal winner, and FedEx Cup champion.

Justin Rose’s Past Masters Results

Year Result
2014 T-14
2015 T-2
2016 T-10
2017 2
2018 T-12

Yet, he quietly goes about his business. Rose came oh so close to slipping into a green jacket in 2017, losing to Sergio Garcia in a playoff and always plays great at Augusta. Rose is installed at +1800, with eight others golfers favored over him.

Is Tiger Worth a Bet to Win a Major in 2019?

Next year sets up as an incredible chance for Tiger to win his first major since 2008, having won majors at three of the four venues, with the lone exception being Royal Portrush, which is hosting the Open Championship for the first time.

2019 PGA Major Championship Venues

Major Course Tiger Woods victories
Masters Augusta National 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005
PGA Championship Bethpage Black 2002*
US Open Pebble Beach 2000
Open Championship Royal Portrush N/A

*Woods won at Bethpage Black when it was contested as a US Open

I’m looking at the PGA Championship and US Open as the best chance to taste victory for the 14-time major champ.

Tiger won at Bethpage Black in 2002 and was also tied for 6th in 2009. Astonishingly, he annihilated the field at the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2000, winning by a whopping 15 shots, and also finished tied for 4th there in 2010.

I expect Tiger to win the U.S. Open for his first major triumph in eleven years.

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