In the wake of Tiger Woods’ last-gasp victory in the Bay Hill Invitational, bookmaker William Hill have slashed the odds on Woods winning the US Masters from 9/4 to just 7/4. Woods’ Bay Hill triumph was only his third competitive appearance after eight months on the sidelines following reconstructive knee surgery and his sixth win in the event.
However, despite the lengthy layoff, it appears Woods has returned to the fairways better than ever and that has the bookies running scared of the American winning at Augusta in April. For thousands of William Hill punters, Woods’ return to form has seen them collect on the US Masters already, as Hills have reportedly paid out to those who had bet the world’s Number One to win the first Major before he had even returned to action.
Similarly, William Hills’ odds on the number of Majors won by Tiger in 2009 have also been subject to change following his Orlando victory and Hills offer 13/8 that Tiger wins no Majors this season; 6/4 that he wins just one; 11/4 that he picks up any two; 11/1 any three, and 20/1 about a clean sweep of all four Majors.
Meanwhile, Irishman Padraig Harrington can be backed at 150/1 with William Hills to complete his own ‘Grand Slam’ by capturing both the US Masters and US Open to add to his British Open and USPGA successes.
‘In all the hype over Tiger’s return people have forgotten that Padraig Harrington has won the last two Majors and could have his own ‘Padraig’-Slam to boast about if he collects the next two,’ said William Hills spokesman, Graham Sharpe.
