PGA Championship 2013 Odds: Updated Betting Lines for Golf's Biggest Names

Thanks to his resounding triumph at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and his career major track record in general, Tiger Woods is the heavy favorite entering the 2013 PGA Championship, according to the latest odds from Bovada.

Woods is a 3-to-1 shot to take home the Wanamaker Trophy for the first time since 2007, and it would be his first major victory since the 2008 U.S. Open.

A letdown might have been expected for reigning British Open champion Phil Mickelson at Firestone, but he still managed to finish in a decent tie for 20th and played better in the final two rounds in Akron. Lefty is listed at 12-to-1.

The two other major winners this year in first-timers Adam Scott (The Masters) and Justin Rose (U.S. Open) are behind Mickelson at 20-to-1 and 22-to-1, respectively.

And get this—that trio is paired together for the first two rounds:

Let's take a closer look at each player's prospects entering this prestigious championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

Note: Statistics, information and video, unless otherwise indicated, are courtesy of PGATour.com.

Tiger Woods (3-1)

How's this for a great omen from ESPN's Justin Ray, regarding Woods' chances at the PGA:

A seven-shot win in Akron was clearly defined by the electric 61 the world's top-ranked golfer posted in Friday's second round. The final 18 holes were more of a victory lap than an actual competitive golf tournament.

Woods' short game is as on as ever. Despite hitting just half of the greens in regulation in Round 3, he still scored well in managing a 68. That type of grinding ability is what Woods is legendary for, and his iron play picked back up in a masterful display of shot-making on Sunday.

Many may dismiss the assertion that Woods is totally "back" since he's still in the midst of a major winless streak.

Don't buy it if you hear it.

The "drive for show, putt for dough" adage perfectly characterizes Woods' 2013 campaign. In his five wins, he's putted brilliantly. In his close calls at majors in The Masters and the British Open, he couldn't get anything going with the flat iron, particularly on the final day.

This is the last chance Woods has at quieting his few remaining critics and adding major No. 15 to his phenomenal resume. He almost couldn't ask to be playing any better at the moment, so don't put it past him to get it done at Oak Hills.

Phil Mickelson (12-1)

The style of links golf was a riddle the cerebral Mickelson could not solve for the longest time.

But hey, 43 is apparently the new 30, because Mickelson's evolving game is producing some of the best golf he's ever played.

After beating Branden Grace in a playoff to claim victory in the Scottish Open, Phil the Thrill continued to throttle back the aggressive tactic he's renowned for.

In leaving the driver out of the bag at Muirfield, it allowed Mickelson—who typically spins the ball as much as anyone—to pierce the breeze more effectively off the tee, thus leaving himself in manageable situations to play smart golf.

The result of this dynamic shift in course management was a Claret Jug, which Mickelson himself believed he might never win.

Now Mickelson has to revert back to his old ways and adjust the trajectory of his shots accordingly to succeed in Rochester. Trouble lurks around the greens in the form of deep bunkers and thick rough, but Lefty is as well-equipped as anyone to bail himself out more often than not.

As long as his distance control remains steady, his risk management remains reasonable and he can hole a few putts, Mickelson should be in the thick of things come Sunday.

Adam Scott (20-1)

Great Scott!

That famous phrase applies to the Aussie—who has Woods' longtime caddie Steve Williams on the bag—in both a positive and negative manner. On one hand, his collapse at the British Open in 2012 hardened him into the champion he eventually became at Augusta National in April.

It was Scott's first major, and it was a longer time in the making than expected.

Unfortunately, a series of bogeys down the stretch at Muirfield—along with a career-defining performance from Mickelson—thwarted Scott's bid to redeem himself in golf's oldest major.

Nothing seems to faze the laid-back Scott, who shouldn't be confused with apathy but rather should be praised for being uncommonly even-keeled. No matter how deep the heartbreak is on the course, Scott lets it roll off.

That bodes well for him at Oak Hill, as does the fact that he has one of the most mechanically sound and consistent swings in the game, which has allowed him to rank seventh in total ball-striking on tour this year.

An underwhelming opening round at Firestone was followed by the next 36 holes being played in six under-par. Although Scott didn't finish too strongly, it had to be tough to focus with Woods so far out in front.

The playing field will be more level at a venue Woods hasn't won eight times at, too.

Justin Rose (22-1)

The time between Rose's eagerly anticipated breakthrough finally materialized at Merion, where he held on to the winning score of plus-one to beat out Mickelson and rising young star Jason Day by two.

Rose is a world-class act with a world-class swing, and three of his four rounds in the Bridgestone Invitational were one under-par. At a course in Oak Hill where wise shots are required tee to green, Rose should fit right in.

Getting four competitive rounds in before the PGA was critical for Rose since he missed the cut in his prior start at his native Open Championship.

A phenomenal display of mettle was put on by Rose at the U.S. Open, which had been lacking down the stretch of majors in the past.

This could be the part of something big for Rose, who took on the difficult Kiawah Island course in the 2012 PGA Championship and finished tied for third. The former child prodigy has grown into a man in his golfing prime that has all the tools to win multiple majors before his career finishes.

It may not happen at this year's PGA, but given the way he handled himself on the grueling test Merion offered, discounting Rose completely would be unwise.