It has been a while since Tiger Woods started as outright favourite in a tournament. It looks like he will when they hit off today in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Current golf betting odds have him at 9/1, well ahead of Dustin Johnson at 17/1, Graeme Mcdowell at 18/1, and Phil Mickelson at 24/1.

To go into a tournament with only one player in single figure odds is quite unusual. We generally see two or three below 10/1 with the rest of the field well spread out behind them. What is interesting is to see some of the names behind this leading group, and to see their prices out to 40/1 and 50/1 or more. This group includes players such as Sergio Garcia, Stuart Appleby, Camilo Villegas, Robert Allenby, and Ernie Els.

Of course, Tiger Woods has one big factor behind him as he goes into this tournament – he loves the course and has been champion here six times already. There’s nothing like experience when playing some golf courses. Woods has also started to find some form. I have often mentioned his ability to play well for three days of a tournament – he just needs to include that fourth day and he’ll win.

Woods hasn’t won now for 16 months. I get the feeling that once he does get that first victory, the flood gates will open and he’ll be back to his awesome best. We’re tipping Woods to win, and those odds of 9/1 look particularly tempting.