UK bookmakers William Hill are offering odds of 50 – 1 on the prospect of Lee Westwood tackling Tiger Woods in the final of the WGC – Accenture Match-Play final in Arizona.
50 - 1 on Lee Westwood shaking hands with Tiger Woods in the Match-Play final
The current World No. 1 ranked Westwood first meets Sweden’s Henrik Stenson in one of 32 matches during Wednesday’s first round while Woods will have his hands full with fellow American J B Holmes, who was brought in to replace South African Tim Clark.
Against Westwood is that in 10 appearances he’s never made it past the second round while Stenson is a past Match-Play winner having captured the event in 2007 that incidently was his last success in European Tour competition.
Woods has dominated the World Golf Championships including winning the Match-Play on three occasions.
But the former long-time World No. 1 ranked Woods has not tasted success for some 15 months since capturing the Australian Masters.
Westwood arrived in Arizona from L A after attending a photo shoot for sponsors PING.
“It’s going to be an exciting championship as you don’t know what to expect, and it’s sure to throw up some surprises, so the spectators are going to be for some real treats,” said Westwood.
“But even though I am the No. 1 seed there is going to be no easy games. You have the top-64 players in the world competing, so you are going to have to play well.
“On the plus side is that I grew up playing match-play in England, and most of the golf clubs in England, match-play is common.
“And from what I seen of the course, not much has changed plus we should have good conditions this week.
“I’m playing Henrik (Stenson) in the first round and he’s a former winner.
“You’re going head-to-head and your opponent can affect the way match progresses.
So I’ll be trying hard not to give too many holes away to Henrik, but at the same time if you make 18 pars, you’re not going to win a match.
“I’m going to have to throw in some birdies in there.”
Despite Woods’ poor former he is joint favourite at 14 – 1 to win with reigning U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and Paul Casey.
Rory McIlroy finds himself 16 -1 and current World No. 2 Martin Kaymer joining Phil Mickleson and Westwood at 22 – 1.
Ireland’s struggling Padraig Harrington is a surprise 70 – 1.
