How Many Majors Will Woods or McIlroy Win In 2013?

How Many Majors Will Woods or McIlroy Win In 2013?

By Michael Gales Nov 22, 2012

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With Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in the top three of the world golf rankings, Pinnacle Sports is offering a market on how many majors each will win in 2013. Before betting on McIlroy or Woods to do the Grand Slam read these key statistics.

Can Woods Reignite His Major Charge In 2013?

Thinking about betting on Tiger Woods to win a major in 2013? Woods is the second most decorated major winner in history with 14 titles to his name – (Masters 4, U.S Open 3, Open Championship 3, PGA Championship 4), but has failed to win a major in his last 14 attempts.

Woods has a fantastic Major record and is just four behind Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles, however since problems in his private life emerged at the end of 2009, and his knee and Achilles injuries in recent seasons, he hasn’t won a major.

Woods’ overall Masters record sees him win on average a major every 4.6 attempts, with a top ten average of every 1.8 majors.

Unsurprisingly by comparing his major record before 2009 and after it shows a distinct drop in his major form. Before 2009 Woods averaged a win every 3.9 majors compared to 0, while he finished in the top 10 on 40% of the time after 2009, down 18.2% (58.2%) before.

In 2012 Woods won his first PGA title since 2009, but his form in the majors was less predictable, as he suffered his worst finish as a professional at the Masters with a share of 40th and was tied 21st at the US Open.

Odds of 1.485* are available for Woods’ major drought to continue – in 18 seasons of major golf, he has finished winless in 9 (50%) – while he can be backed at 3.580* to end his worst run without a major win and claim one (28%) title in 2013.

Backing Woods to complete a major double for the fourth time in his career is available at 14.300*, while a second hat-trick of majors is at 48.620* – Woods is only the second man to ever record three major wins in the same year (2000).

Will McIlroy Add to His Two Major Titles?

Rory McIlroy has been compared to Tiger Woods since his meteoric rise up the world golf rankings, and everything would suggest he should improve on his two – U.S Open & PGA Championship – majors to date.

In 14 majors competed in, McIlroy averages a top ten finish every 2.3 tournaments following 6 top ten placements in 14 major outings.

Something to take into account before betting on McIlroy is that he will be using Nike clubs for 2013 instead of Titleist – which have served him well in his ascent to the top of the world rankings.

Financially this is a fantastic deal for the 23-year-old, but what affect will this have on his game?

History tells us that changing from Titleist to Nike (2001) worked for Woods in 2002 and for Phil Mickelson when he left Titleist for Callaway in 2004.

However there are notable failures. Payne Stewart left Wilson for Spaulding in 1994 and fell from sixth on the PGA Tour moneylist to 123rd the next year, while Jim Furyk captured the FedEx Cup trophy in 2010; a year later he nearly fell out of the world top 50.

There is a notable risk attached to such a decision and while McIlroy is familiar with the touch and feel of his Titleist clubs, Nike’s ability to replicate this will be key to his success.

If you think the club change will hinder McIlroy, odds of 1.641* suggest the world number one will fail in his bid for a major title in 2013.

However, if you believe McIlroy’s form will not falter, one major win can be backed at 3.280*, while two wins are at 10.290*, and if you think he can replicate Woods’ treble in 2000 it is available at 33.690*.

What The Golf Major’s History Suggests

Looking back into the annuals of golfing history to see the occurrence of a player winning multiple majors in the same season highlights the difficulty of the feat.

In the 66 seasons since 1946, 62% of the winners have been single season winners, while 35% have been multiple winners and just two players have completed the treble.

Interestingly no one has ever completed the golf Grand Slam since 1946, and only Bobby Jones way back in 1930 has won four majors in one season – however this included the Open Championship, U.S. Open Championship, U.S. Amateur Championship, and Amateur Championship.

If you think either Woods or McIlroy will become 2013 Grand Slam winners they can be backed at 143.980* and 117.910* respectively.

Another statistic to note is that there has not been a multiple major winner since 2008.

*Odds subject to change

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