Players Championship Odds - Tiger Not as Safe as Normal

The fifth major of golf betting is here with the Players Championship odds. Hosted by the TPC at Sawgrass in Florida every year, it features the biggest purse in PGA betting and one of the best sportsbook fields you'll ever see. Let's look at some notable competitors entering the big tournament.

Tiger Woods
Players Championship odds: +285

Many players sports betting online like going with the borderline "sure thing" in golf betting and Tiger is obviously the closest to that moniker, but he's not nearly as safe as normal this week. He's been great by any mortal golfer's standards this season, but his recent finishes of sixth and fourth were sub-par for him. The big reason behind his inability to break through with a win: hiccups with his putter. He misread a few breaks at crucial moments in two straight tournaments and that doesn't bode well at the speedy greens of Sawgrass, where Tiger did win in 2001 but hasn't cracked the top 10 in six straight starts.

Phil Mickelson
Players Championship odds: +1015

Love Lefty or hate him, golf betting fans can never ignore him at a big event like the Players Championship odds. He's enjoyed past success at Sawgrass, including a 2007 win, but his short game has disappeared this season, so it's hard to endorse him in a tournament where accuracy is paramount.

Sergio Garcia
Players Championship odds: +4250

Is there anyone left on the Sergio bandwagon after his disastrous start to the 2009 golf betting season? The once-proud Spaniard hasn't finished above 13^th in any PGA event this year and seems to have lost his confidence. He's the defending Players Championship odds champ and thus could draw on past success to find his groove, but his game isn't where it needs to be for him to seriously contend at the sportsbook this week.

Sean O'Hair and Brian Gay
Players Championship odds: +2550, +8050

These two non-household names fall into the same category in that they both have hot hands at the moment, with wins in recent weeks. Gay's sportsbook value is way better, but he may be a trap for golf betting fans. His win at the Verizon Heritage came against a weak field whereas O'Hair's win last week at the Quail Hollow came against a all-star field very similar to the one playing in the Players Championship odds. O'Hair warrants serious consideration at the sportsbook.

Henrik Stenson
Players Championship odds: +4850

Here's my top golf betting sleeper of the week. He has two top-10s at Sawgrass and is one of just three players with multiple top-10s and no missed cuts in the Players Championship odds. He's flirted with victory all year and he may break out this week. Don't forget about him in sports wagering!