Tiger Woods Odds, Picks at the 2022 PGA Championship: Should Bettors Back Golf’s GOAT This Week?
Jamie Squire/Getty Images. Pictured: Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods PGA Championship Betting Odds
| Sportsbook | Odds |
|---|---|
| BetMGM | +6600 |
| BetRivers | +7000 |
| Caesars | +6000 |
| DraftKings | +6500 |
| FanDuel | +7500 |
| PointsBet | +6000 |
| WynnBet | +10000 |
Tiger Woods is listed in the field for the 2022 PGA Championship, and he's already in Tulsa, Okla., having played a practice round on Sunday at Southern Hills Country Club. All signs point to him teeing it up on Thursday in Round 1.
At this point in his career, it's a big deal whenever Tiger plays. We saw at the Masters that all of the headlines during the first two days were about how well he began the tournament. It's inevitable that if Woods is playing, he is the story.
Most fans can agree Woods playing the PGA Championship is great for golf and will generate a good deal of buzz for the event.
But should we bet on him?
That's a tricky question this week. Those who bet on him to make the cut at the Masters were rewarded, especially if they got a plus number on him, as was available most of the week. I was among the people who thought that was a great bet, and it ended up being sweat-free.
This week, however, is a different story. With proof that he is capable of putting some good rounds together, the "make the cut" odds will most likely carry significantly more juice.
There are a few pros and cons to investing in Woods in other markets this week.
Pros
The Weather
Woods hasn't been shy about discussing how much weather impacts his body on a week-to-week basis. The weekend at the Masters got pretty cold, and the 46-year-old said it had an impact on his play. It's no coincidence that his first two rounds were much better than the weekend.
With the temperature expected to creep up toward 90 degrees this week in Tulsa, Tiger should have a much easier time getting, and staying, loose.
Course History
The last time the PGA Championship was held at Southern Hills, Woods won the Wanamaker Trophy at 8-under. Although there have been a good deal of renovations since on the course, Tiger has shown in the past that once he knows the layout of a course, he has a much better chance at mastering it.
The rough doesn't get too thick in Oklahoma at this time of year, so he shouldn't have to tax his body too much hitting balls out of the thick grass. I also think the winning score will be in the single digits under par, so he won't have to keep up with a "birdie fest."
Woods has been at Southern Hills in the past few weeks and should have a good idea of what he will need to do to contend. If he didn't think he could manage the course, he probably wouldn't play.
Time
Since the Masters, Tiger has had five weeks to repair and recover. Now that he's played four rounds of high-level tournament golf, he should have a much better idea of what to expect. No one works harder than the 15-time major champion, so I wouldn't doubt that he's made some adjustments.
Cons
This Isn't Augusta National
Yes, Tiger played pretty well in his first start after a traumatic leg injury, but can he replicate that performance at a course that isn't Augusta National?
Course knowledge matters more at Augusta than any other track players see every year, and Woods has proved on multiple occasions that he doesn't need his "A" game to manage a decent score there.
Yes, he won at Southern Hills, but he's won almost everywhere. There is a definite concern that his vast knowledge of Augusta National was the main catalyst for Woods' success in the first two rounds of the Masters.
The Weekend
The weather may have had an impact on Woods' poor weekend play last month, but it's certainly a stretch to say it was the only reason he struggled. He seemed to be in serious pain at times over the weekend, and it was likely due to the four rounds of wear and tear that tournament golf puts on Woods' surgically repaired foot and back.
Conclusion
Betting on Tiger this week seems to be an unnecessary risk. In the outright market, I can understand a small bet for rooting interest and for those who may want to have monetary interest in what could only be categorized as a miracle after what he's been through. He is still +10500 at WynnBet, as of Monday, and around +6600 at most other major sportsbooks.
But let's be realistic, it's extremely unlikely Tiger can win this event.
However, I do think he has enough course knowledge and the necessary "grinder" mentality to have a good week. I do think he will make the cut, but a top-5 or top-10 finish where he is truly in contention on the weekend seems a bit too unlikely at this point.
The bet I can get on board with is:
Pick: Tiger Woods — Top 20 (+300)
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