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Tiger's still the bookies' pal

Tiger Woods has cut a frustrated figure this year © Getty Images

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Tiger Woods may be having troubles on and off the course, but he is still a favourite with the bookmakers.

Since making his return to action following five months on the sidelines, Woods has shown a tendency to keep the ball everywhere but on the fairway. So bad was his form at the Quail Hollow Championship, he missed the cut for only the sixth time in his career after carding a 79. He went to the Players Championship and performed little better before pulling out with injury, but was still sent off the jolly old favourite such is the fear he strikes into the hearts of bookmakers and the faith the punters have in his talents.

Woods has 14 major championships under his belt and has won no fewer than 71 times on the PGA Tour, so it is little wonder that the bookmakers have kept a close rein on him. But it is quite startling that the last time he was not sent off favourite to win a tournament was at the Mercedes Championship at La Costa, California on January 12, 1997.

His woes continued this week with the news he had split from his long-time swing coach Hank Haney, although he was handed some positive results on the injury front with his neck problem reported nothing more than joint inflammation.

There is no word as to when he will return to action and as such Stan James are betting without Woods at the US Open and Open Championship.

But were he to tee it up, Woods would be the market leader. Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major wins is in Woods' sights and this year hands him a fine chance on paper to cut into the deficit as two of the three remaining majors are on courses that he loves. The US Open returns to Pebble Beach, the scene of his 15-shot demolition of the field in 2000, while the Open is at the home of golf at St Andrews - a course he won the Open on in 2000 and 2005.

"Bookmakers are stiil wary of Woods in the run-up to Pebble Beach and St Andrews because of Tiger's record on both courses," Stan James' head of PR Charlie McCann told ESPN. "You must remember that an out-of-sorts and rusty Tiger still finished tied for fourth at Augusta in the Masters earlier in the year and he won the US Open by a record 15 shots when the Championship was last held at Pebble Beach in 2000. That is factored into the price and Tiger would be bigger if the US Open were held anywhere other than Pebble Beach.

Will we see a repeat of Woods holding the trophy at Pebble Beach? © Getty Images

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"Phil Mickelson finished 16th the last time the tournament was played at Pebble Beach but has finished runner up in the event no less than five times. Tony McCoy broke his Aintree hoodoo in 2010...perhaps Mickelson will win his National Championship this year?

"Tiger's record at St Andrews is even better winning the 2000 Open Championship by eight shots and the 2005 tournament by five shots in a canter. Tiger has much-publicised personal troubles, problems with his swing and may never again dominate world golf as he did earlier in his career but he remains the one to beat; the one the bookies are scared of."

The prices below are for information purposes

US Open Championship:
5 Woods
7 Mickelson
16 Westwood
20 Els
20 Harrington
25 McIlroy
28Stricker
28 Goosen
28 Poulter
33 bar

Open Championship:
4 Woods
14 Mickleson
14 Westwood
16 Harrington
16 McIlroy
16 Els
33 bar

You can bet on the above tournaments without Woods in the field with Stan James. Click here to open an account and receive a £25 free bet

US Open 2010 ~ Tournament Outright Without Tiger Woods, (place terms: 1/4 the first 5)
6 Mickelson
14 Els
14 Westwoo
16 Harrington
22 Goosen
25 Stricker
25 Furyk
25 Mcilroy
25 Kim
25 Casey
25 Poulter
28 bar

The Open Championship 2010 ~ Tournament Outright Without Woods, (place terms: 1/4 the first 5)

12 Mickelson
12 Westwood
14 Harrington
14 Mcilroy
14 Els
22 Garcia
22 Kaymer
25 Goosen
25 Poulter
25 Furyk
25 Casey
25 Fisher
28 bar

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