Woods a Big Betting Favorite This Week

For bettors, this is a difficult week.

Six-time champion at the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open Tiger Woods makes his season debut this week. With his fall-season strides in his game, he appears really “ready” this season to return to championship form.

Woods was winless in 2010.

But, for the betting public, Woods is a 3-to-1 favorite this week. When you factor in that he loves Torrey Pines Golf Club — site of his last major at U.S. Open — Woods could be the pick if you have funds and guts to lay the money.

With those difficult odds, perhaps other options are more appealing like Steve Marino. He has been in a good form, contending in Hawaii, and has the long game to compete here. And, at 60-1, he provides a great return on investment.

There are also some solid plays in the 30-to-1 range like Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan and Charles Howell III, who has several runner-up finishes here. Problem is only outright winners pay.

Defending champions are always worth a look — remember last week when Bill Haas rallied Saturday and Sunday to make it into a playoff before losing. Ben Crane won here in 2010 (without Woods in the field). He’s also 30-1 on the betting board.

Last week’s Bob Hope Classic champion Jhonattan Vegas is in the field at 80-1 to go back-to-back in the winner’s circle. Don’t count it.