Here are the latest odds for the 2007 PGA Championship, provided courtesy of Bodog.Com, the world’s largest online sports betting destination.

It’s an interesting list. Tiger’s on top, of course, but I don’t think he’s going to win this one. Remember that Nicklaus went through a couple of years of Majors drought. It could be time for Tiger’s.

I like the field. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a relative unknown come out of the blue and win this one.

When I saw the press release from the PGA announcing Nicklaus’ induction into the Hall of Fame, I did a double take. I found it hard to believe that the guy wasn’t already in. He owns five Wannamaker trophies, for heavens sake.

But in further reading the release, it emphasizes Nicklaus’ achievements outside of his playing:

Jack Nicklaus: Regarded by most historians as the greatest player in golf history, Jack Nicklaus also has been revered for his efforts in sportsmanship, philanthropy, respect for the game of golf and its effect upon future generations. The 2000 recipient of the PGA Distinguished Service Award, Nicklaus partnered with his wife, Barbara, to begin the Barbara & Jack Nicklaus Junior Golf Endowment Fund. Nicklaus remains honorary chair of PGA Junior Golf, and partnered with The PGA of America to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified Chapters of The First Tee that use PGA Professionals and Apprentices for instruction. To date, 123 of the 202 active Chapters of The First Tee nationwide have been recipients of either a PGA of America or Nicklaus/PGA teaching grant.

The combined PGA and Nicklaus/PGA grants total $1,520,000. In addition to a playing career that includes 18 professional major championships, Nicklaus was a six-time U.S. Ryder Cup member and a two-time Ryder Cup Captain (1983, ‘87). In 1977, Nicklaus was credited in leading a campaign to include European players in the Ryder Cup to enhance competitive balance in what today is golf’s ultimate spectacle. In November 2005, Nicklaus was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civil award, and presented by President George Bush.

Congratulations, Jack.

A few random thoughts:

* I’ve seen this movie before. Tiger gets a lead, and then the rest of the field wilts, while he marches on into history. It’s getting a little boring. There’s practically no reason to watch on Sunday since if Tiger is ahead we know who will win.

*While audiences now flock to watch TV when Tiger is in contention, I’ve got to believe that at some point teh reverse will be true. While he has been responsible for the boom in the PGA Tour, I think he also could be responsible for the loss of interest in it.

* The gap between Tiger and the rest of the field is enormous. They’re all playing for second place.

* Silly me. I actually thought Luke Donald had a chance. Or that someone in that group of guys within one or two shots of the lead would step up.

* Here’s an interesting Tiger stat: On par 70 courses, Tiger has one win in 16 starts; on par 71 courses, he has 1 win in six starts; on par 72 courses, 10 wins in 18 starts. I think what this tells me is that attempting to Tiger proof a course by making it longer just plays into the Striped One’s hands. I think this is further reinforced by fact that Tiger is so far ahead of the field in scoring on par 5s.

* All the talk is of how fast Tiger will pass Jack Nicklaus’ 18 majors. I think the more interesting question is how long will he continue to play. I am reminded of Alexander the Great, who wept because he had no more lands to conquer. He then drank himself to death at the age of 27. Tiger’s not going to drink himself to death, but after he wins twenty five majors, I wonder about his desire to keep going.

* After he wins all the professional majors a dozen times, what’s next? Can he quit playing tournaments for six or seven years, live off his billions and then apply for reinstatement as an amateur? Then he could pass all of Jones’ titles, too.

* Shaun Micheel sure has an affiinity for PGA Championships.

* Where the heck was Vijay? Is he done?

* When I see Tiger play, I am amazed at the job that his father did in creating this golf genius. But then I wonder about what would have happened if it didn’t work out. What if he had consumed Tiger’s youth in golf training, only to have the boy turn out to be a five foot four inch shrimp. Or if Tiger had—as so many teenagers do—defied his parents and decided not to play. Some of you may remember a football player named Todd Marinovich. His father raised him from childhood to be an NFL quarterback.  He made it for a couple of years, but has since been convicted on drug and assault charges. As a father, I am not going to take a chance with my kids by steering them to something that I want them to do. I’m going to let them explore every angle and decide for themselves.

* At the end of the tournament, there was no change in Ryder Cup standings.

It’s going to be the Big Ten versus the Pac 10 in the final pairing at tomorrows PGA Championship final round. Luke Donald attended Northwestern; Tiger Woods attended Stanford.

Go Big Ten!

At this moment, there are ten players tied for first at the PGA Championship at eight under. All of the usual suspects are there.

It’s been a tense third round.