Tiger Woods’ Masters chances seem nonexistent as golf icon’s return confirmed

Tiger Woods’ chances of winning the Masters seem to be slim to none, as his odds have never been longer since his name was added to the updated entry list for the season’s first Major. The 48 year old American superstar is set to play in his 26th Masters with the goal of setting a new record for cuts made in Augusta.

However, his odds of winning a record-tying sixth Green Jacket have actually increased since he remained on the invite list on the 2024 Masters App last week. Woods hasn’t finished a PGA Tour event for 13 months and is unlikely to play any warm-up events. He withdrew during the third round in Augusta last year due to a foot problem and then after 24 holes at the Genesis Invitational in February because of flu.

His most recent involvement in the PGA Tour was hosting talks with the Saudi Public Investment Fund – and Newcastle chairman Yasser Al-Rumayyan – in the Bahamas last week. Despite pulling off a golfing miracle by winning the Masters in 2019 – his 14th top-ten finish there – bookies and punters don’t believe he can repeat history if he does tee up on April 11.

William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “It doesn’t look like Tiger will play again before Augusta and that means he’ll have had less than two competitive rounds this year which is hardly the prep he needs. After his name was added to the Masters field list last week, we’ve actually seen a drift on his price for a sixth Green Jacket, with the 15-time Major champion now 125/1 having been 100/1 prior to the announcement.

“We haven’t seen much interest in him yet, but punters always have a soft spot for Tiger and we’d expect to see plenty of bets on him winning it, while the 10/1 about him finishing in the top-10 will appeal to plenty too.”

Woods has made limited appearances since his February 2021 car crash in Los Angeles. Last year he made the cut at Augusta for the 23rd consecutive time to tie the all-time record with Gary Player and Fred Couples.

Dan Kilbridge, Senior Handicapper for Bookies.com, said Woods’ pre-tournament odds were 80-1 last year and 50-1 on his professional debut in 1997 when he won by 12 shots.

“Tiger Woods’ Masters odds have been getting longer throughout the build-up to Augusta National,” he said. “The big concern is a lack of preparation. While Woods was listed at 120/1 just two weeks ago, his Masters odds are currently among the worst in the field at 160/1.”

But Paddy Power spokesperson Rachael Kane warned those who want to bet against him: “Tiger Woods may find himself a 125/1 shot for the Masters but only a fool would write him off at Augusta.”