Major mover Woods out to 10/1

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For the first time in more than a decade, Tiger Woods is unlikely to go off favourite for a major this week.

For the first time in more than a decade, a golf major featuring Tiger Woods is set to start with a player other than the American as its favourite.

Woods was on the drift for the US Open on Wednesday, leaving Phil Mickelson in the unusual position as favourite.

Ever since he burst onto the scene by winning the 1997 US Masters, Woods has been a prominent figure in the betting markets but his poor form, which follows a lengthy period away from the game following revelations about a string of extra-martial affairs, means he is friendless in the outright market. This despite this week’s tournament taking place at Pebble Beach – the course on which Woods won the US Open by a record 15 strokes in 2000.

On Wednesday afternoon, Woods was at best joint favourite, while most firms had Mickelson ahead of him in their market.

Ladbrokes pushed Woods out as far as 10/1 – the first time he has been quoted at double-figure odds since the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

William Hill also had Mickelson as their outright favourite having cut him from 8/1 to 13/2 in the wake of a £10,000 bet on ‘Lefty’.

Sky Bet have also seen money for Woods to miss the cut at 4/1.

Their golf betting spokesman Steve Parkes said: “The tortured Tiger is very weak industry wide and his price is generally moving out by the day, with the 4/1 for him to miss the cut also proving popular.

“However, he is our biggest loser with punters turning to him to help them to a nice pay day at 15/2; a price that was unthinkable a few years ago.”

Weekend winner Lee Westwood is moving the other way – he is proving popular with punters, as are Racing Post tips Luke Donald and Dustin Johnson.

All three have been cut by several layers, with Westwood into 10/1 from 12s with Blue Square.

Westwood, who tasted victory at the St Jude Classic on Sunday, plays alongside Woods in the first two rounds and Paddy Power make Woods 10/11 to beat the Englishman in the opening round. Westwood is quoted at 11/10 with the tie at 15/2.

Westwood is also 11/4 to lead at the end of any of the first three rounds with the firm.

Roberto Coladangelo, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “Following his win, Lee is in a great position to finally take top spot at a major and with the World Cup whipping up national frenzy, Lee should have the full support of England behind him.”

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