A New Tiger Era?

Tiger Woods stormed back to the head of the world rankings earlier in the week after victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational made it three PGA Tour titles already in 2013. The bookies quickly responded by making him nothing longer than 7/2 (PaddyPower) to claim the US Masters which begins on 11 April.

That marks a return to the sort of short-odds favouritism that Woods enjoyed for long periods in the 2000s in particular. Rory McIlroy, the man displaced as world number one, now seems relatively long at 9/1 (Bet365) to triumph at Augusta. Phil Mickelson (12/1 Skybet) is the only other contender at anything like a short price.

The assumption that Woods is set to embark on a new period of golfing domination is suggested in almost every conceivable betting market. The 37-year-old is just 2/5 (Skybet) to top the PGA Tour money list in 2013 after already winning at Doral and Torrey Pines recently, as well as Bay Hill this week.

The 14-time major winner is 11/2 (BetVictor) to win the US Open, 7/1 (PaddyPower) to claim the British Open and 6/1 (BetVictor) for the US PGA Championship this year. That would possibly suggest that the value lies in picking one of those options over the Masters as Woods has won a pretty even split of the ‘big four’ events over his career.

For punters who really think the Californian is back to his very best there are ambitous season-betting options out there. Woods is 9/1 (WilliamHill) to win two majors in 2013 (as he did in 2002, 2005 and 2006) or 25/1 (Bet365) to grab three (as he did in 2000) or all four at 80/1 with Skybet.

*All odds given are the best available on the market. Just click on any of the links to sign up with the relevant bookie and claim your free bets.