Can Tiger Woods Return to Form at the Hero World Challenge?
Tiger Woods’ long awaited return comes this week in the Bahamas at the Hero World Challenge. Tiger’s reign as the number one golfer in the world ended on May 17, 2014 and since then he’s struggled to remain healthy, dealing with numerous back injuries that caused him to undergo surgery.
His return to professional action comes more than one year after he last participated in the 2015 Wyndham Championship.
Recently, Bookmaker released several futures odds on Woods’ performance at the Hero World Challenge as well as his performance in 2017.
Below are odds as they appear on Bookmaker.
Will Tiger Woods announce retirement from professional golf before January 1, 2018?
Yes +385
No -485
How many PGA Tour/European Tour events will Tiger Woods compete in during 2017 calendar year?
Over 6.5 (+105)
Under 6.5 (-135)
Will Tiger Woods win a PGA Tour/European Tour event prior to January 1, 2018?
Yes +900
No -1900
Tiger Woods world golf ranking on January 1, 2018 (current WGR is No. 861)
Over 861 (+130)
Under 861 (-160)
Tiger Woods best finish during 2017 calendar year (minimum playing field of 100)
Over 15.5 (-145)
Under 15.5 (+115)
Will Tiger Woods withdraw during the 2016 Hero World Challenge?
Yes +230
No -320
Tiger Woods finishing position at 2016 Hero World Challenge
1st +2000
2nd +1300
3rd +1100
4th-10th +260
11th-17th -115
18th +550
Will Tiger Woods finish in the top 5 at the 2016 Hero World Challenge?
Yes +350
No -500
Will Tiger Woods finish last (18th) at 2016 Hero World Challenge?
Yes +450
No -700
Will Tigers Woods hit fairway on first round tee shot on Hole No. 1 of Hero World Challenge?
Yes -165
No +135
Tiger Woods score on Hole No. 1 during first round of Hero World Challenge
Birdie +250
Par -120
Bogey or worse +160
How many birdies will Tiger Woods record in the first round of 2016 Hero World Challenge?
Over 2.5 (-150)
Under 2.5 (+120)
How many bogeys or worse will Tiger Woods record in the first round of 2016 Hero World Challenge?
Over 2.5 (-175)
Under 2.5 (+145)
Tiger Woods highest score on any hole during 2016 Hero World Challenge
Over 6 (-160)
Under 6 (+130)
Tiger Woods 18-hole score during first round of 2016 Hero World Challenge
Over 72.5 (-145)
Under 72.5 (+115)
Tiger Woods highest 18-hole round score during 2016 Hero World Challenge
Over 74.5 (-150)
Under 74.5 (+120)
Tiger Woods lowest 18-hole round score during 2016 Hero World Challenge
Over 68.5 (-145)
Under 68.5 (+115)
The biggest takeaway is that the oddsmakers at Bookmaker believe that Woods’ performance both this week and in 2017 will not turn heads. It’s tough to imagine Tiger returns to his elite form after a litany of injuries and setbacks. Father time is catching up to Woods, who turns 41 in December, but that’s not to say that his injuries will force him to retire (at least in the short term)— he’s -485 to retire before 2018.
Oddsmakers believe Woods will most likely finish between 11th and 17th in the Hero World Challenge, but remember there are only 18 participants. For the optimists out there, he’s +350 to finish in the top-5. It’s not unthinkable that Tiger enjoys a top-5 finish, but it appears unlikely given the field. He’ll go up against Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Bubba Watson, and Patrick Reed, all of whom are in the top-10 in the world rankings.
How do you think Tiger Woods will perform in the Hero World Challenge? What are your expectations for Tiger in 2017? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
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