Breaking Down Tiger Woods Betting History at The Open
Article By
Last Updated: 
The uncertainty of Tiger Woods’ health has put his future golf career in doubt. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say this year’s Open at St. Andrews could be his last as he continues to figure out his limitations with his injured right leg. The tournament is July 14-17. It will be televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
The strain his body endured at the PGA Championship was enough for him to miss the U.S. Open. Woods was forced to withdraw after shooting a 9-over par 79 in the third round of the PGA Championship and didn’t end up playing at Brookline for the U.S. Open.
“The plan was to play the U.S. Open,” Woods said during a news conference this week. “But physically, I was not able to do that. No way physically I could have done that. I had some issues physically with my leg and it would have put (The Open) in jeopardy. There’s no reason to do that.”
“This is a pretty historical Open we are going to be playing. I’m lucky enough to be part of the past champions who have won there and want to play there again. I don’t know when they are ever going to go back while I’m still able to play at a high level, and I want to be able to give it at least one more run at a high level.”
Woods has made the cut in both the Masters and PGA Championship but has not seriously contended. Still, even a damaged Woods has attracted plenty of action in each of his starts, with BetMGM Sportsbook noting Woods was its biggest liability to win.
Golf fans will likely flock to the betting windows or apps to wager on Woods again, who can be found as high as 50/1 at FanDuel Sportsbook right now.
But betting on Woods has been a losing proposition during his Open career. Here’s a breakdown of what betting $100 on Woods at each of the Opens would have gotten you.
Woods’ Betting Breakdown
Woods has won the Open three times in his career, with victories in 2000, 2005 and 2006. In total, he has taken part in 21 Opens. In 2000, Woods was 3/2 at St. Andrews and 3/1 in 2005 at the Old Course. The 2006 victory at Royal Liverpool was Woods’ longest odds win at 5/1.
Given the short odds because of his dominance, a bettor wagering $100 on Woods at each of the Opens would have earned $950 in winnings but be down $850 all-time with Woods losing in 18 other Opens.
Woods made his Open debut at St. Andrews in 1995 but wasn’t listed with any individual odds. He was a part of the field at 10/1 and finished 68th. He wouldn’t have any odds in 1996 at Royal Lytham at St. Annes, either, going off at 6/1 as part of the field and finishing 22nd.
For the 1997 Open at Royal Troon Woods had his first individual odds to win the event at 6/1. It would mark the beginning of a 15-tournament stretch where Woods would be listed at under 10/1 to win The Open.
Only in his last four tournaments has Woods had pre-tournament odds above 10/1 in his career at the event. He was 15/1 in 2014, 60/1 in 2015, 25/1 in 2018 and 18.1 in 2019. Woods missed the cut with his longest pre-tournament odds at 60/1, which also came at St. Andrews, but managed a sixth-place finish with his third-longest odds in 2018 at Carnoustie, taking sixth.
Woods is currently as high as 50/1 to win this year’s Open at St. Andrews, which is the second-highest pre-tournament odds for him at an Open.
Woods’ Victories at St. Andrews
St. Andrews has been a memorable place for Woods. In 2000, his Open victory at the Old Course made him the youngest player to have won all four majors, beating Jack Nicklaus by two years.
Woods finished 19-under for the best score in any major, earning an eight-stroke victory over Thomas Bjorn and Ernie Els. Woods’ record stood until Jason Day surpassed his mark with a 20-under par at the 2015 PGA Championship.
Woods earned his second career grand slam in 2005 with his second Open title at St. Andrews. Woods recorded a five-stroke victory in what was also Nicklaus’ final Open appearance.
Be first to get our exclusive offers!
Join today to stay up to date on your states gambling news and offers.
Updated by
Last Updated:
