Tiger Woods: Latest Odds and Predictions to Win Open Crown

After winning the Memorial in dramatic fashion last weekend, Tiger Woods has vaulted to favorite-status at this week's 2012 U.S. Open. He is on a roll and apparently oddsmakers believe he'll finally get back on top at a major championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco this week.

According to VegasInsider.com, Woods is currently a 6-1 favorite, with Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy checking in at 12-1. Donald is currently the world's No. 1 player, while McIlroy is No. 2 and the defending U.S. Open champion.

The best bet currently is taking the field (anyone other than Woods, Donald and McIlroy) at 15-1. Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson are currently at 15-1, while Matt Kuchar, Jason Dufner and Rickie Fowler sit at 25-1. 

Masters champion Bubba Watson is at 30-1 along with Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott and Justin Rose. 

Woods' odds were at 15-1. However, after he won the Memorial, they have been dropping rapidly. Of course, that doesn't mean he'll hoist the creatively-named U.S. Open Championship Trophy this week. Woods has won the U.S. Open three times (2000, 2002, 2008) but he hasn't won a major since taking home that last U.S. Open title at Torrey Pines in 2008. That's a long stretch without a major. 

I don't think Woods will take the title this week despite those excellent odds. My money would be on someone like Donald or Dufner coming up and snagging the championship. Mickelson is always a dark horse and he has a record five second-place finishes at the U.S. Open. 

The best bet would be to take the field at 15-1, since the U.S. Open is always unpredictable. Scores will be high, great golfers will be made to look silly and contenders will emerge from nowhere. It happens every year without fail.

Just sit back and enjoy what should be another crazy ride.