Irish Daily Mirror

Tiger has bookies on the run

- BY NEIL MCLEMAN

TIGER WOODS is now a shorter price to win the Masters than Rory Mcilroy after the American showed “ominous” form at the Valspar Championsh­ip.

While the struggling Ulsterman missed the cut in Florida, Woods finished joint second behind winner Paul Casey in only his fourth event back from spinal surgery.

The world new No.149 will this week play the Arnold Palmer Invitation­al – where he has won eight times – before returning to Augusta for the first time since 2015.

And only world No.1 Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas are hotter favourites for the first Major of the year.

Casey said: “It was great to see him back this week. There were some roars which were amazing. If I was going to win, I had said to a couple of guys that I wanted Tiger to win.

“He is a phenomenon. I have never seen anything like it any sport.

“I know he won’t be pleased with runner-up but I think this is very ominous for the future.”

Casey climbs up to world No.12 after his first PGA Tour event since 2009. “It has been a long time,” said the 40-year-old. “It has been a roller-coaster.

“It has been up, it has been down.

“I have been through a lot – divorce, remarried, kids and I couldn’t be happier to stand here today and be a winner.”

 ??  ?? 8/1 Dustin Johnson, 10/1, Jordan Spieth, 10/1, Justin Thomas, 10/1, Tiger Woods, 14/1, Rory Mcilroy, 16/1, Jason Day, 18/1, Jon Rahm, 18/1, Justin Rose. HISTORY BECKONS Ireland boss Joe Schmidt AS THE CRO FLIES Conor Murray celebrates after Sean...
8/1 Dustin Johnson, 10/1, Jordan Spieth, 10/1, Justin Thomas, 10/1, Tiger Woods, 14/1, Rory Mcilroy, 16/1, Jason Day, 18/1, Jon Rahm, 18/1, Justin Rose. HISTORY BECKONS Ireland boss Joe Schmidt AS THE CRO FLIES Conor Murray celebrates after Sean...
 ??  ?? DELIGHTED Paul Casey with the Valspar trophy
DELIGHTED Paul Casey with the Valspar trophy

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