Co-leaders set to create big payout as Woods falters
One of the attractions of golf wagering is the potential to cash a ticket at long-shot odds. Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell, the co-leaders after three rounds of the U.S. Open, are in position to create a big payout for their betting backers.
McDowell closed at 60-1 odds and Furyk was at 30-1 before Thursday's opening round at Olympic Club in San Francisco, where a difficult course has devoured most of the world's top players.
Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald and Bubba Watson were among those who got torched early. Tiger Woods was in a strong position until imploding Saturday.
Furyk, the U.S. Open winner in 2003, is the new favorite, at 9-4 on the adjusted odds board at the LVH sports book. McDowell, who won the Open at Pebble Beach two years ago, is at 5-2 odds. Furyk and McDowell are tied at 1 under par going into today's final round.
"There wasn't too much support for McDowell before the tournament, even though he won it two years ago," LVH golf oddsmaker Jeff Sherman said.
But there was overwhelming support for Woods, who was at even money before the third round. Woods fired a 75 and is tied for 14th, five shots behind the leaders, as his odds were adjusted to 12-1.
"Tiger missed a lot of opportunities and didn't take advantage of some benign conditions that other players did," Sherman said. "Tiger still is our largest liability."
Lee Westwood, seeking his first major win, is three shots off the pace and at 6-1 odds. Also in contention are Fredrik Jacobson (12-1), Ernie Els (15-1), Nicolas Colsaerts (20-1) and Jason Dufner and Webb Simpson, each at 25-1.
"Westwood has got nothing to lose," Sherman said. "He can go out and play without the pressure of the guys at the top."
The LVH will keep wagering open until around noon today. Sherman said in-progress odds are unlikely to be posted because the end of the golf tournament will overlap with the start of Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.
