Golf Betting Odds: The Honda Classic

 

The Honda Classic begins Thursday at the Jack Nicklaus designed PGA National in Florida. Many big name players are in the field as they begin the final ramp up towards Augusta, as the Masters is just one month away.

The Honda Classic Betting Odds:

Rory McILroy: 8-1
Tiger Woods: 8-1
Adam Scott: 16-1
Charl Schwartzel: 20-1
Graeme McDowell: 20-1
Sergio Garcia: 20-1
Phil Mickelson: 22-1
Henrik Stenson: 25-1
Rickie Fowler: 28-1
Louis Oosthuizen: 50-1
Patrick Reed: 66-1
Michael Thompson: 80-1
Paul Casey: 100-1
Camillo Villegas: 125-1
Ryo Ishikawa: 125-1
Lucas Glover: 300-1
Darren Clarke: 400-1
Mike Weir: 500-1

Rory McILroy holds off Tiger to win The Honda Classic, becomes World Number One

Despite a huge charge from Tiger Woods, Rory McILroy kept his composure and shot a final round 69 to win the The Honda Classic by two strokes. The win vaults the 22 year old Irishman into the number one position on the world rankings.

"It was tough today, especially seeing Tiger make a charge," McIlroy said. "I knew par golf would probably be good enough. To shoot 1 under in these conditions, when you go into the round with the lead, is very nice. And I was just able to get the job done." 

McILroy didn't have his best stuff with his long game, however, he got up and down all day from several precarious positions. He hit a great pitch from deep rough at 14 to get up and in, and saved par from the greenside bunker at both 15 and 17, two of the difficult par-3s that make up part of the Bear Trap. McILroy got up and down 21 out of 25 times for the week.

"My short game all week has been very good, and it's what you need on a tough golf course like this," McIlroy said. "I was able to do that, especially on 15 and 17. I needed to make pars there. My short game felt good all week, and it definitely saved me today."

The 2012 Major Champions will be...

Tiger Woods vs. Rory McILroy

Tiger Woods shoots final round 62 at The Bear Trap

 

It appears that Tiger Wood's golf clubs are agreeing with him. He had two eagles, four birdies, and no bogeys en route to a career low 62 for a final round at The Honda Classic. Although his charge came up two shots short of winner Rory McILroy, Woods has obviously taken a huge step in the right direction.

"I've been hitting it like this for a while," said Woods. "It all came together." 

With two more tournaments at Doral and Bay Hill to prepare for the Masters, Woods appears to be in prime position to make a strong run for his 15th Major Championship.

Tiger Woods vs. Rory McILroy

The 2012 Major Champions will be...

The Honda Classic Betting Odds

Rory McILroy: 15-2
Lee Westwood: 9-1
Tiger Woods: 10-1
Charl Schwartzel: 25-1
Keegan Bradley: 25-1
Padraig Harrington: 40-1
Louis Oosthuisen: 50-1
John Huh: 66-1
Vijay Singh: 80-1
Anthony Kim: 150-1

Complete field betting odds

Tiger Woods adds Honda to schedule, will play three straight

With the Masters less than two months away, Tiger Woods appears to be very serious about getting in as many reps as possible in preparation for the the first major of 2012. He announced today that he will be adding the Honda Classic to his upcoming schedule.

Woods will play three straight weeks beginning with the Accenture Match Play Feb 22nd, the Honda Classic March 1-4, and Doral March 8-11.