Tiger Woods Out for the Season

Tiger Woods is calling it quits. According to his website, Woods is saying he is undergoing reconstructive knee surgery and won't be back until the start of the 2009 PGA Tour. (Photo: ACL reconstructive surgery)

"I know much was made of my knee throughout the last week, and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time. I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA and their incredibly hard work, and make sure the focus was on the U.S. Open," said Woods. "Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."

On Monday afternoon in sunny San Diego, Woods won his 65th PGA Tour victory with a win over Rocco Mediate at the 2008 US Open. Grimacing from hole to hole, it was obvious Woods was in some amount of pain. Although a date has not yet been set for the surgery, Woods assures his fans he will be dedicated to rehabilitating his knee so that he can make a full recovery and return to the golf scene as soon as possible.

"I was determined though, to do everything and anything in my power to play in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, which is a course that is close to where I grew up and holds many special memories for me," Woods writes on his website. "Although I will miss the rest of the 2008 season, I'm thrilled with the fact that last week was such a special tournament."

For everyone else competing at the PGA level, the season is still very strong. Get all your PGA golf betting here.

Big Brown Draws No. 1 Post Position

Betting on the winner for 2008 Belmont Stakes just got a whole lot easier, now that Big Brown has drawn the No. 1 post position. Dating back to 1905, more winners (23) have started from the No. 1 position than any other post.

Here is the complete field for Saturday's Belmont Stakes, including post position, horse's name, and odds to win:

1. Big Brown 2/5 odds
2. Guadalcanal 50/1 odds
3. Macho Again 20/1 odds
4. Denis of Cork 12/1 odds
5. Casino Drive 7/2 odds
6. Da'Tara 30/1 odds
7. Tale of Ekati 20/1 odds
8. Anak Nakal 30/1 odds
9. Ready's Echo 30/1 odds
10. Icabad Crane 20/1 odds

Plan to watch the action unfold on Saturday, June 7th at 6:30 PM EST and set your remote for ABC. Bet on the Belmont Stakes and bet on Big Brown to win the Triple Crown.

Big Brown's Health Not in Jeopardy

The field and post positions for the 2008 Belmont Stakes won't be drawn until Wednesday, but the news today coming from Big Brown's stable is that trainer Rick Dutrow may be putting his horse's life on the line by running him on Saturday.

But not everyone is worried about Big Brown.

Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay, who was called in to make repairs to Big Brown's injured front left hoof, fully supports Dutrow's decision to enter Big Brown in the upcoming Belmont Stakes.

"I don't like people accusing Rick or accusing this industry of just taking horses and throwing them to the wolves for money. These guys love these horses," McKinlay said Monday. "Yes, there's a lot of money at stake, but they're not going to do it. They'd be an idiot to do it. He's certainly worth a lot more alive than he is dead."

Big Brown had a successful workout Tuesday and there was no sign of blood to the cracked hoof. McKinlay said he'd remove the sutures to the hoof on Friday, clean the area, re-drill holes and in new sutures.

"The adhesive that we'll rebuild that wall with is stronger than the hoof itself," McKinlay said.

With no plan to withdraw the horse from the race, Dutrow is prepared to face an onslaught of criticism from fans and the media, but is nonetheless convinced he's doing the right thing.

"If he runs terrible and he's got a bleeding foot after the race, I'm sure there will be plenty of questions thrown my way," Dutrow said. "If he does what he's already been doing, maybe they'll say, 'Well, it looks like they handled it the right way."'

Bet on Big Brown to win the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown!