Share
Tiger Woods remains the most interesting man in golf. Ask anyone else playing in or betting on the Masters beginning today.
Even at 46, he’s good for networks that broadcast the PGA Tour. And he’s good for sportsbooks that offer golf wagering.
And with the 15-time majors winner set to participate in the 86th Masters, that means CBS Sports and scores of gambling operators are teeing up a big weekend.
With Woods returning from a career-threatening car accident in February of 2021 that left him with multiple broken bones in his legs, the human interest is even bigger. And the odds are way longer. That will likely continue to send fans and bettors into a froth as the weekend approaches.
“As of right now, I feel like I am going to play,” Woods said in a press conference before the tournament.
“I love competing, and I feel like if I can still compete at the highest level, I’m going to… [I would not] show up to an event unless I think I can win it.”
PointsBet sports analyst Michael Korn told PlayUSA that his company had taken more money and more bets on Woods – a five-time Masters champion – than any other golfer playing at Augusta.
“Tiger is obviously great for the game of golf but even better for betting,” Korn said.
Fans can’t take their eyes off Tiger; that doesn’t mean they like him
According to data compiled by Q Scores, which measures consumer appeal for individuals and brands, Woods is recognized by 75% of the United States population aged 6 and older. That’s the good news for him and his sponsors.
“The average sports personality is 20 percent,” Q Scores executive vice president Henry Schafer told PlayUSA. “So he’s huge there.”
But following a series of personal scandals in 2009 that included extramarital affairs and a divorce, Woods’ likeability score has plummeted.
“Before all his craziness back in the day he actually had one of the highest Q Scores for any athlete, equaling Michael Jordan before those incidents,” Schafer said. “Right now, however, he’s had a precipitous decline in his likability. He’s down to an average number. His Q Score right now is 15%, which means 15% of the population says that he’s one of their favorite personalities.”
The average athlete s around 17%, Schafer said. “He used to be twice that number,” he added.
Woods’ likability score increases to 44% among self-described golf fans, but his overall ‘negative reaction’ figure is 30%. The average sports personality comes in around 14%.
“Over the years, Tiger has obviously been a polarizing figure for not only golf but sports in general,” Korn said. “I think it’s hard to pinpoint one reason for the attention but overall – Tiger Woods just makes golf more fun.”
Tiger Woods betting figures at FanDuel
On Wednesday afternoon, Woods was +5000 to win and lead after one round, +108 to make the cut, and -164 to miss the cut.
Tiger Woods betting figures at PointsBet
*Note these are +7000 choice on Tuesday afternoon
Outright Winner (Most Bet)
- Tiger Woods (12.5%)
- Scottie Scheffler (5.5%)
- Justin Thomas (4.5%)
- Brooks Koepka (4.5%)
- Cameron Smith (4%)
Outright Winner (Most Handle)
- Tiger Woods (11.5%)
- Justin Thomas (9%)
- Jordan Spieth (7%)
- Brooks Koepka (6.5%)
- Scottie Scheffler (5.5%)
Woods is having a similar effect at DraftKings
Betting splits in the DraftKings market with Woods participating has him commanding 16% of the handle and 14% of bets – both highs on the board – at odds of +4000 (up from +3500 on Tuesday afternoon.)
Woods betting figures at BetRivers/PlaySugarHouse
Tiger Woods (+3500) on Wednesday, down from +5000:
- 8.3% of the money (up three percent in a day) to win. That leads all golfers.
- 6.7% of bets (most) to win.
+1600 to place in the top three
+750 for top five
+350 for top 10
+120 for top 20
-120 for top 30
-186 for top 40.
To lead after Thursday (+4000)
Over/under for Woods’ first-round score is 73.5 at odds of -120.
Woods scoring 70 or lower in all four rounds: +10,000.
WynnBET Tiger Woods Masters stats
- Woods (+6000) who opened +3500, comprises 9.8% of the handle
- Woods was +7500 to win the tournament prior to his announcement on Tuesday.
- Woods has generated 11.3% of bets
Most Bet Players to Win The Masters at WynnBET
- Tiger Woods – 11.3% of bets
- Justin Thomas (+1300, opened +1200) – 4.6% of bets
- Brooks Koepka (+1900, opened +1800) – 4.1% of bets
