Tiger Woods an Odds-on Longshot to Win Any Majors in 2023

Tiger Woods failed to make the cut at the 2022 British Open, disappointing himself and fans alike, but that hasn’t stopped oddsmakers from looking ahead to 2023’s majors.

The 46-year-old Woods, who will turn 47 on Dec. 30, continues his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 major titles. Following his Masters win in 2019, Tiger now trails Jack by three, with 15.

These odds are from BetMGM, which is among the best online sports betting sites.

Let’s take a look at how 2023 might play out for Woods.

2023 Masters, April 6-9, (Tiger Woods +4000)

Everyone knows this is Tiger’s favorite place to play, and why not? He’s won five green jackets, second only to Nicklaus’ six.

Between now and April, Tiger’s main focus will be in tip-top shape when he tees off at Augusta National. He desperately wants to tie Jack’s Masters record which would also get him to 16 major victories.

His current 40-1 odds may seem like a gift nine months from now, but this is the only one of the majors on which to consider making a future bet, which brings us to …

2023 U.S. Open: The Los Angeles Country Club, June 15-18 (Tiger Woods +5000)

It all depends on how well Woods plays at The Masters and how healthy his body is, of course.

Woods chose to sit out the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., and for good reason – it’s brutal on the legs and back, Tiger’s trouble areas.

In 2023, the U.S. Open returns to the West Coast at the Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course, where the 2017 Walker Cup Match was played. It’s an incredibly challenging course, as all the U.S. Open ones are, but this wouldn’t be as grueling of a grind. Plus, Woods was born in Cypress, attended Stanford, and has likely played this course more than a few times growing up. He’s a California kid, so he could surprise here.

2023 PGA Championship: Oak Hill Country Club, May 15-21 (Tiger Woods +5000)

Woods withdrew from the 2022 PGA after he shot a 9-over par 79 in the third round at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., his worst round ever at the event.

Oak Hill, in Rochester, N.Y., is one of the most difficult courses in the country and Woods played poorly in his two previous PGA Championship showings there.

In 2003, Woods finished an eye-popping 12-over par, declaring Oak Hill “the hardest, fairest golf course we’ve ever played.”

Ten years later, in 2013, he complained about the greens pre-tournament and then never really contended, finishing 4-over.

In 2023, it will have been another 10 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if he bags this one.

2023 The Open at Royal Liverpool, July 16-23 (Tiger Woods +TBD)

On the other hand, Royal Liverpool will always have a special place in Tiger’s heart.

Less than three months after the death of his father and teacher, Earl, Woods won his second straight Claret Jug, the third of his British Open titles, by finishing at 18-under par.

So he’ll play here simply for the nostalgia of that emotional victory. Depending on how the rest of 2023 goes, he may be one of the favorites.

In closing, expect Woods to play fewer and fewer tournaments and then join LIV (heh, kidding, kidding) as he concentrates almost exclusively on majors in his attempt to stay on Nicklaus’ heels.