Tiger Woods odds: Prop bets for the Hero World Challenge host’s return to golf

When arguably the greatest golfer of all time is set to make a comeback from a long injury layoff, it’s understandable to get excited. Tiger Woods returns this week and, once again, we’re all getting a little carried away in Tiger mania. But still! He’s back hitting actual golf balls in a real (sorta) golf event in front of TV cameras, and you should be excited!

But keep your heart and head operating in two distinct lanes this week and manage expectations. Don’t start yelling about how he’s going to win multiple majors this year or start throwing your money on the big cat to win this week, even if it is just a little hit-and-giggle game among 18 golf friends.

As with every tourney Woods plays in, there are odds for just about everything. You can do head-to-head wagers against the rest of the players in this small field, which is still loaded and includes eight of the top 10 in the world rankings. And then there’s a full menu of Woods props, as we’ve grown accustomed to in these first return events of the Big Cat comebacks. There are lines for whether he’ll withdraw, where he’ll finish, and how that first hole will go on Thursday. Here are some of those lines specific to this week at the Hero World Challenge, via Bookmaker:

Will Woods withdraw during the 2017 Hero World Challenge?

Yes +287 / No -360

Woods finishing position at 2017 Hero World Challenge

First +2712

Second +1584

Third +1303

Fourth-10th +320

11th-17th -160

18th +281

Will Woods finish in the top five at the 2017 Hero World Challenge?

Yes +485 / No -1035

Will Woods finish last (18th) at 2017 Hero World Challenge?

Yes +329 / No -463

Will Woods hit fairway on first round tee shot on Hole No. 1 of 2017 Hero World Challenge?

Yes -160 / No +130

Woods’ score on Hole No. 1 during first round of 2017 Hero World Challenge

Birdie +250 / Par -120 / Bogey or worse +160

How many birdies will Woods record in the first round of 2017 Hero World Challenge?

Over 2.5 (-226) / Under 2.5 (+174)

How many bogeys or worse will Woods record in the first round of 2017 Hero World Challenge?

Over 3.5 (-164) / Under 3.5 (+125)

Woods’ highest score on any hole during 2017 Hero World Challenge

Over 6.5 (-136) / Under 6.5 (+102)

Woods’ highest 18-hole score during any round of 2017 Hero World Challenge

Over 75.5 (-110) / Under 75.5 (-119)

Woods’ lowest 18-hole score during any round of 2017 Hero World Challenge

Over 69.5 (-107) / Under 69.5 (-123)

So there are Woods head-to-heads, Tiger Hero World Challenge props, and Tiger 2018 props all being dissected this week as he reemerges in competitive golf. As for winning this little offseason challenge in the Bahamas, the host is way down the board with the longest odds. Woods is 40/1 according to Jeff Sherman of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook and GolfOdds.com. No one has higher odds to win:

Justin Thomas — 6/1

Jordan Spieth — 6/1

Dustin Johnson — 6/1

Rickie Fowler — 8/1

Justin Rose — 9/1

Brooks Koepka — 9/1

Hideki Matsuyama — 12/1

Henrik Stenson — 15/1

Matt Kuchar — 20/1

Patrick Reed — 20/1

Daniel Berger — 20/1

Tommy Fleetwood — 25/1

Francesco Molinari — 25/1

Kevin Kisner — 25/1

Alex Noren — 30/1

Charley Hoffman — 30/1

Kevin Chappell — 30/1

Tiger Woods — 40/1

There was a time, not too long ago, when Woods was the favorite in every single event he entered. It didn’t matter if he’d won recently or his game had looked like trash in the preceding months. He was there, and he was still the favorite. That practice ended about three or four years ago, but his history and public backing will usually make the odds lower than maybe they should be. But right now is a particularly fragile time, and despite all the excitement, we have no idea what to expect. Woods himself said he was “winging it” with trying to work out a new body that has a fused back.

So instead of Woods as an overwhelming favorite, we get props about withdrawing and the longest odds in the field. There may be some value here and there, but it’s usually not found on putting your money behind Woods so much as against him. That’s appropriate given his injury record and play of the past four years. The point this week, however, is that he’s back and we’re going to celebrate that. So if you want to get a little intemperate, and think with you’re heart and your wallet, well, there are plenty of options.