Tiger Woods Is Now Just 3-to-1 To Retire In 2017
Golf Channel – The sports gambling world has moved from issuing odds on Tiger Woods’ chances of winning the Masters to his chances of retiring by 2018.
BookMaker.eu issued a series of prop bets on Friday related to Woods’ future health and career prospects.
Notably, Woods is -140 (bet $140 to win $100) to undergo another back surgery in 2017 and +110 (bet $100 to win $110) not to go under the knife. Bettors can also wager on Woods’ retiring (+290) or not retiring (-380) from professional golf by January 1, 2018.
As for a return to competitive play, Woods is +140 to come back at the Genesis Open, +500 at the Honda Classic, +500 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, +200 at the Masters, and +1500 to sit out the rest of the year.
I’ll be honest, it’s not a good sign for the comeback when you’re 3-to-1 to officially retire this year. Not good at all. After his most recent WD, Tiger’s agent said Tiger had “back spasms,” detailing how these are significantly different from his more serious, surgery-requiring back nerve issues that kept him out for a year and a half.
The simple fact that he played in Cali, missed the cut, flew to Dubai, and withdrew after one round is also not good. Add to that former swing coach Butch Harmon piling on:
Butch Harmon on Tiger Woods: ‘(He) might not be able to play at any kind of level again’ – https://t.co/YkwHn8Lt3k https://t.co/jsVEz80GpI
— Tiger Woods view (@TigerWoodsview) February 6, 2017
“He’s been off for year and a half. Now he’s back but he still can’t finish a tournament. To me, that’s not a good sign.” Butch Harmon on TW
— Ron Mintz (@MintzGolf) February 5, 2017
” I think the problems Tiger has had didn’t come from golf – they could have come from too much work in the gym.” Butch Harmon
— Ron Mintz (@MintzGolf) February 4, 2017
And former swing coach Hank Haney chiming in:
And chatter that Tiger’s a gym freak again, ignoring his team’s concerns:
Been told the following on Big Cat, and his recent gym routine: pic.twitter.com/L0CcNz0HtB
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) February 3, 2017
Which isn’t overly surprising:
And yeah, retirement at 3-to-1 ain’t looking so bad. I may or may not have him at 5-to-1 to win a major this year with Smitty (I am a dumb, emotional person) but whatever. It’s just a small, small difference between major championship glory and permanent retirement. Could go either way!
Tiger’s slated to take this week off, then go back-to-back at Riviera and the Honda Classic at PGA National (bear trap). We should know very soon if the back’s back for the comeback.
