Woods - winner for bookmakers. (Getty Images)
WOODS WIN SUITS LAYERS
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For the first time since he began contesting the event, bookmakers Hills and Coral will be quite happy if Tiger Woods wins the US Masters.
"He will tee off as a good potential winning result for us for the first time ever," said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.
"Even though the 4/1 on offer is the longest price Tiger has been quoted at for the Masters since he first won it, we have seen comparatively little cash for him - two bets of £1,000 each from clients in North London and Cheshire are the biggest we've taken."
At this stage last year Woods was just a 6/4 chance with Coral to win at Augusta yet this year, even
at more than double that price, punters are steering well clear.
"It is hard to believe but Woods is proving completely friendless in the
betting on this year's Masters", reported their spokesman Simon Clare.
"For years Tiger has been the hero of golf punters, but their fingers have
been badly burned over the last twelve months following Woods, and it seems
they have now deserted him," added Clare.
Coral have had more requests for odds on Tiger Woods missing the cut than
for him to win the tournament, and he is a 16/1 chance to be packing his
bags after the second round.
"For the first time ever bookmakers will be cheering for Tiger Woods to
win," said Clare.
Of the players who are attracting support, the list is headed by Dave Tindall's headline selection Phil Mickelson. The American is now 13/2 second favourite from 15/2 with UK Betting and 7/1 from 8/1 with Paddy Power.
Ladbrokes were a top-priced 12/1 over third favourite Ernie Els on Wednesday morning and were soon running for cover and have cut the South African to 10/1.
Looking further down the list and in-form duo Padraig Harrington and Adam Scott have both proved popular.
Coral, Hills and Ladbrokes have all cut Harrington from 20/1 into 16/1 while Coral's top-priced 28/1 about Scott has been trimmed into 25/1.
Of the real outsiders there has been plenty of general interest in Mark O'Meara who is now into 80/1 from 150/1 with Chandler.
Another big potential loser for Chandlers is
Jose Maria Olazabal.
A clutch of ante-post value hunters swooped at Olly's 125/1 Augusta quote
immediately after his opening round 65 at last week's Bell South Classic to
send liabilities on the Spaniard soaring into six-figures.
"The punters who managed to get the 125s probably aren't feeling as
confident after Olazabal then went out and shot 77 the following day," said
the firm's golf compiler Richard Friend.
The 1994 and 1999 Augusta champion is now trading at 80/1 with the firm.
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