Tiger Woods in the Ryder Cup? You Can Bet On It! #golf

In the game of golf and online sports betting in general, there is almost always a wager that warrants conversation. The latest golf events and odds that have caught our attention refer to whether or not Tiger Woods will be playing with Team USA in the 2016 Ryder Cup ...yes, you can bet there are odds on this!

The internet is a buzz with odds on winning the Ryder Cup, FedEx Cup and more and why not? Gambling on golf has been inherent in the game since it's beginnings. Whether you're betting a fun two dollar Nassau with your mates or selecting Fantasy picks for the Italian Open, golf is one of the sports in which gambling is accepted, welcomed and woven deep into the fabric of the sport.

In a recent article from BusinessDailyAfrica.com, "Golf and gambling go hand in hand under strict rules of the game."

Even "the USGA does not object to informal gambling or wagering among individual golfers or teams of golfers when the players in general know each other, participation in the wagering is optional and is limited to the players."

True, there are some inherent do's and don'ts <...Phil Mickelson> but it is everywhere online and has not been condemned (five million Google results online for golf gambling online) so, if you plan to make a wager, bet with your head, not over it.

That being said, let's take a look at the Ryder Cup odds as they currently stand.

Golf Digest has Tiger Woods as a long shot to be added to Team USA roster by Davis Love III, but he is still in the running. I believe that Jim Furyk would also be a great pick for the team.

As outright winners, which team will win The Ryder Cup?

According to Oddschecker.com, here are the betting odds to lift the Ryder Cup trophy:

As far as deciphering these odds, I only partake in on-course wagers so I am unfamiliar with these odds; please feel free to comment below in this golf blog to help explain!

It is rumored that the PGA Tour is considering permitting sports gambling on golf tournaments. Do you think this is a good idea? Tweet and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and comment below on our Golf for Beginners blog.



This golf blog does not promote or encourage gambling or betting to any individual under the age of 21 years. Please be thoughtful if gambling on any event and we urge you not to play over your limit.

THIS Tiger Woods won't win the Masters!

Tiger Woods at 2011 Masters Press Conference

Tiger Woods is back in contention and is listed on most golf sites to win the 2012 Masters, but he is also being shunned beacuse of inconsistent putting and long-term physical and emotional injuries. Although Woods is also a favorite on many a bookmaker's web site (some sites with odds as low as 4-1), not far behind is Rory McIlroy with Phil Mickelson galloping close behind. Is the new and improved Tiger Woods finally ready to win a major tournament?

 

SportsBettingOnline.com has Woods' odds at a respectable 5-1 with head odds maker Dave Johnson stating that Tiger's win this year at Bay Hill gave him a "mental edge" but that the only thing that could possibly defeat Tiger is, well...Tiger. Woods downplayed his recent victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitiational in spite of the fact that it was his first in over 900 days on Tour, noting that his win was not in a major championship; this statement in itself may reveal a weakened mental state. In my opinion, a PGA Tour win is a win and should be lauded and built upon for the next competition.

 

Mike Colbert, risk director for Cantor Gaming added Rory McIlroy's name to Woods' as contender for the coveted Green Jacket. "Of course it's a golf tournament and anyone could win, but two guys stand out," Colbert said. "The fact that Tiger Woods obviously hasn't been himself this year, but now is starting to come into his own, can't be ignored."

 

In stark contrast, golf portals like Bleacher Report are taking a different approach, telling bettors not to take a gamble on Tiger Woods when making a Masters pick because of his putting maladies, "ranking 67th across the PGA Tour with 1.768 across 2012."

 

Rory McIlroy, because of his big collapse in Augusta 2011 and a lack of accuracy should also be avoided for all of you Fantasy Golf aficionados. Probably the worst choice to lay your money on according to B/R is Adam Scott, yes even though Steve Williams will be by his side.

 

Other naysayers from Devil Ball Golf conclude that, even though Woods may have one or two good rounds in him he will not win this event, to ...

...sports "know-it-all" Sportige who believe that "more than two year's of injuries and simply playing bad doesn't disappear into thin air" may have to go head-to-head against ESPN Senior Golf Analyst Michael Collins whose position is simply, "How could you NOT make Tiger Woods the favorite to win the Masters?"

 

Who do I believe will win the Masters this year? Although I am not really a gambler (unless you consider my $2 Nassaus and occasional trotters picks at Empire Raceway in Yonkers, NY), I'll take Phil Mickelson as my pick but I'm certainly not saying that Tiger Woods can't win.

 

Many of my golf and social media friends call me "predictable" because I always root for Phil or Tiger but, the reason I'll keep both names at the top of my very short list is as Ovid stated,

"A horse never runs so fast as when he has other horses to catch up and outpace." Woods and Mickelson are two golfers that take this saying seriously.

 

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on Facebook.

 

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