PGA Tour Odds: The Barclays

Will a newly-single Tiger get his first win of 2010? (AP Images)

The PGA Tour attempts to be relevant in the midst of football for about four more weeks as the Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs begin on Thursday in New Jersey with The Barclays – bet on the tournament on Bodog’s golf odds.

There certainly isn’t a lack of stories this week. Tiger Woods, always the main story, plays his first event since his divorce was finalized on Monday. Many opponents believe that will focus him and lead to much better results, and Woods is the co-favorite on Bodog’s golf odds at 11/1. Of course Tiger has yet to win this year in nine events and enters off a so-so PGA Championship where he finished tied for 28th but never broke 70. Woods did finish tied for second here last year. Because of his struggles Tiger is just 112th on the FedEx Cup points list so he must finish in the Top 50 to advance to next week’s second leg of the playoffs.

Phil Mickelson is also at 11/1 with Tiger but he has only one victory this season: at the Masters. Lefty had struggled some in two tournaments since the U.S. Open but made a Sunday charge at the PGA Championship two weeks ago and finished tied for 12th. For the eighth time this year Mickelson can replace Woods as the world’s No. 1 golfer; there are several scenarios but he basically has to finish ahead of Tiger. Lefty finished T52 at this tournament in 2009.

Two big names aren’t playing this week. World No. 3 Lee Westwood remains out with an injury but expects to be back for the Ryder Cup. No. 6 Jim Furyk might have made a $10 million mistake on Wednesday morning. He overslept and missed his tee time for the pro-am and that earned him an automatic disqualification. Only a family emergency or illness can excuse a player from a pro-am – it’s mandatory for every player in every PGA Tour tournament. Furyk is third in the points standings and could drop as low as the high teens now. Ernie Els (30/1 to win this week) enters with the points lead. He hasn’t won since March but also finished tied for second here last year. Heath Slocum (100/1) is the defending champion of The Barclays.

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