Tiger Woods Pays 3 to 1 at 2007 British OpenTiger Woods plays 3 to 1 early odds at the 2007 British Open. First he has to win of course.
Woods was the big favorite to win at Bookmaker.com. Despite a pretty descent payout potential, Woods was the only golfer listed with single digit odds. +300 represents 3 to 1 odds or a payout of $300 for every $100 bet. Jim Furyk came in with +900 odds or a potential to pay out $900 for every $100 bet.
The 37-year-old is distinctly low-profile, a hard-grafter with one of the most unconventional swings in the game who has nonetheless won a US Open in 2003 and has been ranked second in the world behind only Woods.
"I probably have gotten more attention for being ranked No. 2 in the world that I did for winning the US Open," he said.
The amount of betting action coming into Bookmaker.com on Furyk was substantial compared with other online sportsbooks like William Hill, England's biggest betting shop, who still listed Furyk with 22 to 1 odds.
William Hill had Ernie Els with single digit 8 to 1 odds while Bookmaker.com's British sister book,
BetCRIS.com offered Els at early 10 to 1 odds or a payout of $1000 for every $100 bet (+1000).
For weeks, months even, South African Ernie Els has been telling those who will listen that he is nearing a return to the form that has brought him three majors to date, his last coming in 2002, according to a report in the Telegraph.
"Carnoustie is probably the toughest links course we play. If the wind is blowing, which it will be, that closing stretch is as tough as it gets."
He explained: "The 16th hole is probably the best par three I can think of anywhere in the world. Downhill you might be going with a six-iron, but it's still very hard to hit into that green. Into the wind, you might be hitting a driver."
Regarding his game, Els once again declared on the bonnie banks that he is approaching top form.
"I've said for a long time that I'm close. My swing feels good and the putting stroke is starting to feel better."
2007 US Open winner Angel Cabrerra has more favorable odds at
BetCRIS.com (40 to 1) then he does at William Hill where he is listed at 50 to 1, though with a bigger payout potential.
Elsewhere, Padraig Harrington is being offered at 20 to 1 odds. Vijay Singh had reduced odds of 20 to 1 at BetCRIS.com, supporting heavy action there for one of the sharpest North American facing oddsmakers. Phil Michelson was assigned +1400 odds or 14 to 1.
An encouraged Mickelson said he liked his chances.
Phil Mickelson faltered down the stretch Sunday to lose his lead and a playoff to Frenchman Gregory Havret in the Scottish Open, but Lefty told the Arizona Republic he took many more positives than negatives from his performance.
A wrist injury kept Mickelson out of the U.S. Open cut and the AT&T National, but he found encouragement from his play at Loch Lomond.
"It was certainly disappointing to finish the way I did, especially making mistakes down the stretch," he said Tuesday. "The good thing for me was that it was important to get into contention because I hadn't been in contention since The Players Championship.
"I felt like that was going to be important if I were going to have a good chance here at Carnoustie. So I'm pleased that I put myself in that position."
The 2007 British Open is expected to be one of the most bet on events among Great Britons this year. The Open attracts bettors from around the globe, however.
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Christopher Costigan, Sports911.com
Originally published July 18, 2007 9:07 am ET
