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Garnering about 50 percent of the 2009 British Open betting action over the next few days will be none other than "favorite by default" Tiger Woods. It doesn't matter how well he's playing, Tiger will almost always be instilled as the favorite.
British Open bettors are hopeful that Woods has turned things around following his big win at the AT&T National this past week.
"It was a long week, but I got the 'W,'" said Woods, who moved within five PGA Tour wins of Jack Nicklaus with the 68th of his career.
Tiger Woods closed with a 3-under par 67 to win at 13-under 267. Woods took the lead for good on 16.
"I hit the second shot exactly where I wanted to give myself an angle at the flag," he said. "But bad pitch. It wasn't that hard, just right up the hill. It was about a cup and a half outside left. I just had to be sure I got it up the hill. I figured if it was that slow a pitch, it would be that slow a putt."
But because Tiger comes into the 2009 British Open having performed poorly in recent Masters tournaments, his odds - while shortest of any other contender - still offer some value.
Most of the online sportsbooks have Tiger Woods paying $2 for every $1 bet, though very few were offering odds as of Saturday morning.
BetUS.com had Tiger Woods paying $1.75 for every $1.00 bet.
Sportsbook.com had him paying $2.00 for every $1.00 bet as did Sportingbet.com for those living outside the U.S..
BetUS.com was offering better cash promotions, which, depending on how much you planned on depositing, could actually make up for the slightly lower payout potential for Tiger Woods.
Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
