Woods a big favorite for Players Championship
Oddsmakers at betED.com are expecting Tiger Woods to bounce back from his disappointing finish at the Quail Hollow Championship and win this week’s Players Championship.
Considered pro golf’s ‘5th Major,’ the Players Championship features most of the world’s top 50-ranked golfers.
Woods, the world’s No. 1 golfer, is a +275 favorite in PGA Golf Betting Odds to win the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., headquarters of the PGA Tour.
World No. 2 Phil Mickelson is the next favorite, but way behind Woods, at +1100 odds.
Sean O’Hair, who won Quail Hollow, is at +2300, and Geoff Ogilvy’s at +2800. Rounding out the top five is Ernie Els at +3400.
Sergio Garcia won the 2008 Players Championship by beating American Paul Goydos in a playoff.
At Quail Hollow, Woods jumped out to the lead with a seven-under 65 in the opening round. Playing just his fifth tournament back since knee surgery, Woods entered Sunday two shots out of the lead but wasted several birdie chances and one eagle opportunity, closing with 10 straight pars for a 72, good for fourth place.
This will be his first time playing consecutive tournaments in 2009.
The Players Stadium Course will play at 7,220 yards this year.
The Players Championship offers the highest prize fund of any tournament in golf – $9.5 million, with the winner collecting $1.7 million.
The tournament starts Thursday, with live coverage on Thursday and Friday on the Golf Channel (1-7 pm ET). NBC takes over on Saturday and Sunday (2-7 pm ET).
