Tiger Woods installed as Masters favourite after Chevron win
Published:Whilst Tiger Woods’ victory at the Chevron World Challenge on Sunday may have been expected by many, he achieved a level of consistency that others may have forgotten once epitomised his game.
The host of the tournament, Woods completed a one-stroke victory at Sherwood Country Club in California after four very steady and solid rounds to show he means business heading into 2012.
Ladbrokes have responded to this performance by making the four-time US Masters champion 6/1 favourite to claim the green jacket back for the first time since 2005.
Tiger outlined, following a tremendous back-to-back birdie finish to clinch victory, that he is nearing peak fitness for the first time in around two years.
Having missed two of four Major tournaments in 2011 due to knee ligament and Achilles tendon concerns, Woods is determined to make up for lost time as he attempts to close in on compatriot Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Major titles.
His first victory in two years saw him soar from 52nd up to 21st in the world rankings, and his ten-under score of 278 was achieved with the fourth swing change of his illustrious career.
With a settled caddie now in place in the form of Joe LaCava, and a cloud of controversy no longer seemingly encapsulating him, the American looks certain to kick on and add to his incredible haul of 14 Majors to date.
He will take inspiration from fellow American Jim Furyk, who managed a career-best three victories on the PGA Tour of 2010 following a 2009 Chevron Challenge Cup win.
Looking the best he has in years, and looking to have at last rediscovered the consistency that has been evading him, it is easy to believe this recent win will have the same effect on Woods that it did on Furyk.
The odds of 6/1 for Tiger Woods to win the US Masters should be taken very seriously.
