Latest Odds for Tiger Woods at the Masters 2018

Tiger Woods returns to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday hoping to end his 10-year wait for a major title, and the four-time champion is one of the leading front-runners in Georgia, opening at odds of 9-1.

This will be the 42-year-old's first participation at a major tournament since 2015, and he's being tipped for a potential revival at Augusta, although we've heard similar in the past only to have our hopes dashed.

Despite 13 years having passed since Woods won the last of his four green jackets, bookmakers are touting the golf icon as a candidate to take his fifth ahead of fellow contenders like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.

Injuries have stunted Woods over the past decade, but this weekend's Masters could be the catalyst for a fresh start, and his high billing reflects the excitement.

Read on for a rundown of the latest odds on Woods winning it all at Augusta come Sunday, as well as a preview of his chances of ending his winning hoodoo.

Masters Odds (Top 10)

Tiger Woods: +900 (9-1)

Rory McIlroy: +900 (9-1)

Justin Thomas: +1000 (10-1)

Dustin Johnson: +1200 (12-1)

Jordan Spieth: +1200 (12-1)

Justin Rose: +1400 (14-1)

Bubba Watson: 1600 (16-1)

Phil Mickelson: 1600 (16-1)

Jason Day: +1800 (18-1)

Jon Rahm: +2000 (20-1)

Odds provided courtesy of OddsShark.

Preview

One year has passed since the spinal fusion surgery that looks to have granted Woods a reprieve from his recurring fitness issues, leading the American to describe himself as a "walking miracle," per BBC Sport.

That fourth back operation seems to have had the desired effect, too, judging by Woods' recent tournament finishes, and he voiced a statement of intent heading into Thursday's big start date: 

"I'm just there to win. I've been better with each week I've competed. A little more crisp.

"I'm just really looking forward to playing at the Masters. It's the best run tournament in the world. The golf course, the patrons, the entire atmosphere. It's a golfer's heaven."

Woods may have been more appealing with an underdog's edge rather than a favourite tag, but golf betting analyst Jeff Sherman indicated that hasn't prevented people from jumping on his name:

The 9-1 odds appear modest, to say the least, particularly after Charles Curtis of USA Today described a potential Woods revival at the Masters as "the greatest athlete comeback of all time."

His recent competition finishes of 12th, second and fifth in his last three PGA performances hold big promise, and Fox Sports pundit Skip Bayless questioned why this shouldn't be Woods' time:

The obvious answers there are factors such as age, the struggle to recapture former greatness and, perhaps above all, stamina over a four-day tournament. But then there's the lingering "What if?"

What if, at the scene of his first major triumph and his joint-most successful major competition, it all suddenly comes together for Woods at Augusta?

Woods was only 21 when he surprised the field to win his first Masters. Now twice that age, it's a combination of physical and mental obstacles that stand between him and a fifth.

Jack Nicklaus remains the tournament's most successful star with six Augusta victories to his name, but Woods is an enticing bet option as he looks to get his career back on track with another green jacket for the collection.