by Ryan D. Jaeger
Tiger fever has hit UK bookie sites once more, and this time sportsbetting
sites have a wide range of betting markets for their punters.
The shamed golfer, Tiger Woods is due to return to the circuit after a
long self-imposed exile, and will debut at the Augusta National on April 8th.
Bookies such as Ladbrokes and William Hill have odds of 4-1 that Woods will
win the tournament.
Other bets currently being offered are whether Woods will hit a tree on his
first drive or whether he will kiss a blonde before teeing off.
"We've got a whole host of markets, the funnies around to the serious," said
a spokesman for Ladbrokes. "Obviously, we've priced him up to win the major, to
miss the cut, to have a fight with a fan on the first tee, to kiss an anonymous
blonde - which doesn't include John Daly, we point out..."
Bookies are gearing up for incredible Tiger powered action.
"We'll absolutely certainly take a couple of million pounds on it ourselves,"
said Rupert Adams, speaking for William Hill. "So far, people are sensibly
reluctant to part with their cash until two or three days beforehand, because
once you place your bet you can't cancel it."
Woods has won the Masters title four times, with 14 majors overall under his
belt.
William Hill was offering no less than 26 markets on Tiger's Augusta
appearance last week and opened up another ten this weekend.
"Things like: Will he have an argument? Will he throw a club? Will he break a
club in anger? Will there be a streaker on the final green? Will Elin be seen in
the crowd?" said Adams for William Hill.
