Masters odds shorten for Tiger Woods

Cape Town - There was a flurry of betting action on next year's Masters after Tiger Woods finished 15th at the Hero World Challenge at the weekend.

In a small field Woods finished 15th on four-under overall in his first competitive tournament after 15 months out recuperating from back surgery.

However, the modest return did not deter punters from betting on him to win the Masters in April.

Woods was listed at 40/1 to win in the Bahamas and eventual winner, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, is one of just six players with better odds than Woods for Augusta.

According to leading SA bookies Sportingbet, Jordan Spieth is the 8/1 favourite, while Rory McIlroy can be backed at 9/1. Tiger is on offer at an appealing 25/1.

Woods made 24 birdies at the Hero World Challenge and showed several moments of brilliance.

Woods is a four-time Masters winner, having triumphed in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.

Meanwhile, Woods jumped 248 spots in the latest world rankings and is now 650th in the official list released on Monday.

The Masters will take place on April 6-9 at Augusta National in Georgia.