Should We Be Buying In On Tiger At Augusta?
Yes. Tiger Woods is finally showing signs of life.
Yes. He’s hitting the ball a country mile.
Yes. The chip-yips seem to be a thing of the past.
But should we be really be buying in on Tiger being the favorite at Augusta National next week?
When you consider the fact Tiger hasn’t won a major championship since 2008, the odds seem stacked against the 42-year-old. However, a 12th at the Honda Classic, a T-2 at the Valspar, and a T-5 at Bay Hill has Vegas convinced Tiger will be a factor come the back-nine Sunday at Augusta. Tiger’s odds have plummeted from 100/1 back in August, to now 9/1, or the odds on FAVORITE. That’s right. A man who hasn’t won a tournament of any kind since 2013, and hasn’t captured a major since 2008 is now labeled as a better bet than world no. 1 Dustin Johnson, red hot Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson (who has two green jackets and just buzz-sawed Kevin Kisner to win the Dell Match Play), and Jordan Spieth, who has a green jacket of his own at age 24, and two second place finishes at The Masters.
2018 Masters updated
T Woods 9/1
J Thomas 10/1
D Johnson 10/1
R McIlroy 10/1
J Spieth 12/1
J Rose 14/1
J Day 16/1
P Mickelson 16/1
B Watson 16/1
J Rahm 18/1
R Fowler 18/1
S Garcia 25/1
P Casey 25/1
H Matsuyama 30/1
T Fleetwood 30/1
H Stenson 40/1
A Noren 40/1
P Reed 40/1— Jeff Sherman (@golfodds) March 25, 2018
Now, we have to consider for a moment, that Vegas doesn’t necessarily make lines based on who they think may or may not win… the idea is often to inspire bettors to lay out some paper on a particular player. So, the odds-makers know that Tiger carrying the weight that he does, the public will likely throw down some heat on the big cat just to make watching the tournament more fun. In fact, just last week I had a good friend text me saying he was planning on tossing a sawbuck down on El Tigre just on the off chance he was in contention Sunday.
“I’ll probably put twenty on Tiger just in case. If he snakes in a long one Sunday on 17 to pull within a shot of the lead, it will be worth my money. Even if he doesn’t win” was the exact text he sent over.
A prime example of just how stinkin’ much Tiger moves the needle.
Most experts have been saying for years that IF Tiger ever captures another major, the Masters would likely be it. Experience at Augusta is paramount to being able to win there. That’s why Jack was able to win The Masters at age 46, and for years you saw Bernhard Langer on the first page of the leaderboard until the grind of walking the steep elevation changes took a toll on his aging legs and he faded on moving day. Basically, Augusta can be thought through. You don’t need raw power to compete there (not as much anyway). Knowing which pin placements to attack, and how to manage the course is very important there. Not like, say, a US Open venue, which can play near 8,000 yards and includes lesser known tracks like Erin Hills and Chambers Bay.
For my money, I might say that the British Open at St. Andrews in 2020 is another pretty good chance for Tiger to win a major (IF he stays healthy).. but I digress.
I don’t know if Tiger will contend at Augusta, but with all the young, talented players out there, it is hard for me to believe he can capture another green jacket. Tiger is now facing a generation of in-shape, ball beating, nutrition fueled, practice machines. An era of players he helped forge. Bombers. Guys who spend hours in the gym. Guys who punish themselves with HIIT workouts. Guys who focus on hitting their daily macros and do more crunches in one workout than the entire AG office has done in the last decade. Tiger created this. And now he must try to find a way to slay the dragon. The new blood. The up-and-comer, and the 25-year-old already been there. Two of the most frightening competitors for an aging, trying to rekindle the magic elder statesman.
Competitors used to wilt in Tigers shadow. Now, the younger generation talks about wanting to beat him in competition. Many would argue that these players should beware what they wish for, but I salute them for wanting to go toe-to-toe with the greatest we’ve seen since the Golden Bear.
Will Tiger ever win another major? Who knows? But one thing is for certain, the players Tiger helped babysit through the television every Sunday aren’t afraid. They’re ready. And so are we.
