Weekend Review: Pain for bookies as Tiger Woods completes “greatest comeback”
The US golfer won his first major for 11 years to the delight of sports fans as William Hill US is forced to cough up $1.2m
Tiger Woods’ first major triumph since the 2008 US Open saw him take home a fifth green jacket on Sunday with a memorable performance in the 2019 Masters.
Woods remains a favourite for sentimental punters who have long awaited a return to form for the former world number one, and it paid off this weekend.
One punter placed an $85,000 bet on Woods to win the tournament at 14/1 with William Hill US which led to a whopping pay-out of $1.2m, the single-largest liability for an individual golf wager in the history of the operator.
“It’s great to see Tiger back but it’s a painful day for William Hill,” said Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading at William Hill US. “It was our biggest golf loss ever — but a great day for golf.”
I can’t thank my family, friends and fans enough for their support. Having my family by my side today is something I will never forget. To not only be able to play again, but to be able to win again, is something I will forever be grateful for. This jacket sure is comfortable. pic.twitter.com/LsOUX2dWH1
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 14, 2019
Betfred is still totting up the cost of this month’s Grand National after several punters got stuck into the Tiger Roll / Tiger Woods double at odds of 75/1, reportedly costing the operator “shed loads”.
Victory for Woods also made it an high-turnover weekend for UK exchange operator Betdaq. Marketing manager Eamon Moran said: “Tiger Woods claiming a 15th Major was a moment that many of us never expected to see happen.
“However, there have been plenty of loyal punters keeping faith in Tiger on Betdaq over the years and their support was finally rewarded with some big wins as we witnessed one of sport’s greatest comebacks.
“One trader had £800 on him at 20 to land £15,200, another placed £700 at 19 to collect £12,600 and, as his odds were shortening on the exchange, the last major trade on Tiger came in at just under £1.6k to bank £10,178,” he added.
I am literally in tears watching @TigerWoods this is Greatness like no other. Knowing all you have been through physically to come back and do what you just did today? Wow Congrats a million times! I am so inspired thank you buddy.
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) April 14, 2019
Kindred Group ended the four-day Masters tournament ahead over all but Woods’ fairytale still proved costly. “Over the pond at the Masters, Tiger Woods’s victory was one for the ages, but a result which left us in the red on the Winners market,” said sportsbook analyst Ali Gill.