If CBS’ Gary McCord traded in his media credential to become a bookie, he’d offer just one bet for the PGA Championship: Tiger Woods or the field.
“If I get Tiger, I will give you 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 odds,” McCord said. “If I was booking, I would book it something like that.” For McCord, the odds are more a compliment to Woods than a criticism of the field.
With the British and Buick Opens under his belt, Woods has his swing more consistent than a sunrise right now.
“He looks like he has a lock on it where he can get it to do what he wants,” McCord said. “That doesn’t spell out too good a situation for the rest of the guys.” If McCord had to pick a golfer to beat Woods, he would choose someone who consistently hits the ball down the middle of the fairways. Of course, this is always a good strategy, but it’s especially so at the treefilled Medinah Country Club outside Chicago.
Jim Furyk and Geoff Ogilvy are possible contenders, while Phil Mickelson is an iffy choice at best, according to McCord.
“This is a big, nasty golf course with a lot of trees, so a guy who hits the ball straight has a chance,” McCord said.
“Furyk’s name comes up because he has played well there in the past. He is playing very well right now. A guy like Geoff Ogilvy, he is no longer a longshot. He definitely has the game for that kind of golf course. I don’t know if Phil can do it. He has been scoring well, but I don’t know if Phil is on top of his game right now. So he is a big question mark.” It’s almost as if Woods enters the tournament with a five-shot lead. He once again is in a zone where it seems inevitable he’ll be the last man standing.
“Everything points to him,” McCord said.
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Thursday
PGA Championship 2 p.m., TNT