Books expect OK handle without Tiger in U.S. Open
Plagued by left leg injuries and poor play, Tiger Woods limped away from this week’s U.S. Open and withdrew. Will golf betting go lame without him?
Woods has been a shell of his former dominant self, duck-hooking his way through a stretch of 22 tournaments without a win and slipping to No. 15 in the world rankings. He would not have been the favorite in this major, but his presence could have boosted wagering.
Without Woods, a wide-open field hits Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., for Thursday’s first round, and there is no favorite. Three players — Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald — share the role at 12-1 odds at the Las Vegas Hilton sports book.
“It would be better if Tiger was in it. No matter what he’s doing, good or bad, people are going to bet him,” Hilton golf oddsmaker Jeff Sherman said. “But it’s starting to pick up. The handle will be OK.”
The second tier of contenders is headed by Rory McIlroy, who is at 15-1 odds and looking for redemption after a final-round meltdown at the Masters.
Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan and Steve Stricker are at 20-1, followed by Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer and Nick Watney at 25-1. Johnson blew a three-stroke lead going into the final round of last year’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
“Mahan and Stricker stand out to me, first and foremost,” Sherman said. “My No. 1 selection is Mahan.”
Instead of taking the week off, Woods’ caddie, Steve Williams, will escort Adam Scott around the course. Scott, a former UNLV standout, is not in top form but has the potential to cash at 50-1.
K.J. Choi (30-1), Ernie Els (80-1) and Anthony Kim (100-1) are the only players in the 156-man field to win at Congressional. Sherman said Choi had the most tickets written on him as of Tuesday.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.
