Features

Masters welcomes Tiger back

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 24/03/2010
Golf betting

Tiger Woods is back and the golfing world can breathe a huge sigh of relief.

The world number one confirmed last week that he will end his five-month absence at the Masters in April in a much-needed boost to a sport that had been flagging in his absence.

Can Tiger Woods make a winning return at the Masters? - Latest Golf Betting

Woods' off-course discretions are now well-documented but it will be interesting to see how he handles his fall from grace.

But one thing is for certain: Woods would not be teeing it up at Augusta National if he didn't believe he had a genuine chance of winning his 15th Major championship.

The 34-year-old admitted in his comeback statement that he lives and breathes the Majors and the Masters in particular.

His whole life has been dedicated to becoming the greatest golfer of all time and he is rapidly closing in on Jack Nicklaus' record haul of 18 Majors.

A youthful Woods announced his arrival on the world stage with a stunning victory in 1997 and he has pulled on the famous Green Jacket on three other occasions.

But is a rusty world number one a serious contender at Augusta? The sportsbooks certainly think so as he has already been installed as their runaway favourite.

In truth, many had left him at the head of their online betting markets in the hope that he would return to action before the tournament began.

Defending champion Angel Cabrera, two-time winner Phil Mickelson and European number one Lee Westwood are all trailing in his betting wake.

However, it can't be ignored that he hasn't taken part in tournament golf since last November and historically has always played two weeks before a Major to hone his game before taking the preceding week off.

Lance Armstrong recovering from testicular cancer to win seven Tour de France it may not be, but it would still be a remarkable comeback should Woods return to action with a victory.

Most pundits have questioned his decision not to return to action at Bay Hill in the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week, but Woods no doubt feels the more refined nature of the Masters will afford him a little more breathing space.

The Augusta National members rule their tournament with a notoriously iron fist and there will be no awkward questions from tabloid journalists snooping for stories.

Bone fide golf writers only are given permission to report on the first Major of the season.

The spectators are also likely to be less hostile towards the player as anybody ejected from the normally placid galleries will likely see their privileges for next season withdrawn forever.

In that regard it makes sense for Woods to return at the Masters and it will certainly ensure that interest in golf - which had waned in his absence - will spike.

When Woods pulled on his first Green Jacket 13 years ago he did so following a record 12-stroke victory. This year he'd be settle for just one of those.

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