ONE of the most iconic sights in sport in the 1990s was a triumphant Tiger Woods marching up the 18th fairway having blown away all-comers.
He always wore a red Nike polo shirt and usually had several shots in hand.
It’s five years since the Big Cat purred in the winner’s circle but the former world No.1 is back on the prowl after successful back surgery cured his chronic pain and lack of movement.
He’s no swinging defective any more and a second-placed finish in the Valspar Championship sparked panic among the bookies.
Woods’s Major wins have stalled on 14 but he’ll head to Augusta next month believing he can lift a fifth Masters – and you can never have enough Green Jackets in your wardrobe.
He loves Augusta (who doesn’t) but at a best 10-1 with Ladbrokes it would take a lot of faith to back him when you consider he was 100-1 a few weeks ago.
His price has crashed after a he followed a second-place finish in the Valspar Championship with fifth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
At one point on Sunday he was outright favourite for Augusta but then dropped three shots in two holes as Rory McIlroy launched a birdie blitz to storm to glory.
Coral spokesman Harry Aitkenhead said: “We’ve taken a lot of bets over the last week or so on Tiger. He was 33-1 before his second at the Valspar and after tying for fifth at Bay Hill he’s gone from 14-1 to 9-1 second favourite. He’d be a hugely popular winner for golf fans and punters alike but not for bookmakers,”
McIlroy is now outright favourite for the Masters at 9-1 with Unibet while world No.1 Dustin Johnson is 10-1 at Unibet.
If McIlroy plays as he did on Sunday he'll take some stopping and he looks to have his A game back.
But the Irishman is yet to conquer Augusta – it's all he needs for a career Grand Slam – while Woods has 13 top-10 finishes but has played just once since 2013.
I followed him round that year and it was an incredible experience even though I knew he couldn’t catch Jordan Spieth.
I'd love to see Rory or Justin Rose win but if Tiger’s the man being hailed on the last I’ll be applauding like everyone else.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
I have a feeling woods won’t make the cut as he has said the course has changed since he played there a few years ago
I’d be amazed if we won but should make the cut. He’ll be aware of the changes and will get plenty of practise there before the tournament starts. Also most of the changes are to lengthen holes and as a big hitter that may be an advantage to Woods.
Fair point mrfixit I have at the moment got 0.5pt on dechambeau 80/1 bet365 also looking at reed 50/1 grace at 80/1 as you can see I like a long shot lo
I also like long shots in the golf but have a feeling we’re going to see one of the big boys win at Augusta this year.
Looking forward to Ace’s tips.