Tiger Woods No Longer the Favorite to Win 2019 Masters
- Since winning the 2018 Tour Championship, Tiger Woods had been listed as the favorite to win the 2019 Masters
- With his average odds moving to +1400, should you bet on the 4-time Masters champ now?
- Who’s offering value right now?
After ending a lengthy and painful winless drought at the 2018 Tour Championship in September, Tiger Woods was installed as the betting favorite to win the 2019 Masters with average odds settling at +850.
The Big Cat was still tops at +1000 as recently as January 31 but his Masters odds have now faded off to an average of +1400 across our most trusted books, dropping him into a tie for the fifth-best odds to win the tournament.
2019 Masters Odds
| Golfer | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dustin Johnson | +1000 |
| Rory McIlroy | +1100 |
| Tiger Woods | +1200 |
| Jordan Spieth | +1400 |
| Justin Rose | +1400 |
| Justin Thomas | +1400 |
| Jon Rahm | +1600 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | +1600 |
| Brooks Koepka | +1800 |
| Rickie Fowler | +2000 |
*Odds taken 2/28
You’ll see books still havd Woods listed at +1200, the third-best odds on the board, but that’s not the case elsewhere.
Why Tiger Woods is no Longer Favored to Win 2019 Masters
It shouldn’t be a huge surprise that Tiger has dropped from being the favorite at Augusta National – he hasn’t seriously contended in the four tournaments since winning the 2018 Tour Championship.
Tiger Woods’ Results Since 2018 Tour Championship
| Tournament | Result |
|---|---|
| Hero World Challenge* | 17th |
| Farmers Insurance Open | T-20th |
| Genesis Open | T-15th |
| WGC-Mexico Championship | T-10th |
*18-man unofficial tournament
It’s not as if the 14-time major champ has been horrible – he’s flashed some really great things (five under on first four holes in the 3rd round at Riviera) and this sublime bunker shot at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
The decision.
The shot.
The execution.From all angles.
We won't forget this @TigerWoods moment.#MustSeeMoments pic.twitter.com/DQYGlrZAJp
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 24, 2019
However, Tiger’s putting has declined at his advanced age, which is common for golfers in their 40’s. That uncharacteristically poor work with the flat stick has produced a ghastly 12 three-putts in his last two events, resulting in him declining to talk with the media after the WGC-Mexico Championship.
No comment, sort of, for @TigerWoods after #WGCMexico. https://t.co/EIQH5dR3Lx
— Golfweek (@golfweek) February 25, 2019
Tiger’s Top 3 & Worst 3 Strokes Gained: Putting Seasons
| Year | Strokes Gained: Putting Rank |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1st |
| 2007 | 2nd |
| 2009 | 2nd |
| 2012 | 32nd |
| 2018 | 48th |
| 2019 | 82nd |
Last year was the worst putting of his career and in the small sample size 2019 has provided, he has been even worse.
Does this mean Tiger won’t contend for the Green Jacket?
No, he has time to figure out his issues on the dance floor. It is, however, an indication of why he’s no longer the favorite for a guy who last tasted success down Magnolia Lane way back in 2005.
Should You Bet on Woods Now to Win 2019 Masters?
If you’re inclined to want to place a wager on him, then the simple answer is yes.
He’s next expected to tee it up March 7 at Bay Hill – a place he’s won eight times, so undoubtedly he’ll at least be in the mix, which should push his Masters odds slightly shorter.
It’s hard to imagine them rising between now and April, with the best +1500 odds.
The Best Bet to Win 2019 Masters
While he’s fallen on tough times (relatively speaking for his skill level), Jordan Spieth at +1400 is the clear choice.
In his five appearances at the Masters, he’s gone T-2, WIN, T-2, T-11, 3rd. There are horses for courses, and Spieth epitomizes that at Augusta National.
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 16 years, where he's been featured on Sportscentre, That's Hockey, That's Hockey 2Nite, The Masters preview shows, and several more.
