Goosen backers could rake it in

Retief Goosen was the winner the last time Southern Hills Country Club staged one of golf’s major tournaments. He won the U.S. Open in 2001.

Those who believe Goosen can duplicate the feat more than six years later will be well rewarded.

A bettor can get Goosen at +3,750 to win the PGA Championship, the final major of 2007 that begins today in Tulsa, Okla. This means a $100 wager on Goosen would be worth $3,750 if he happens to find magic again at Southern Hills.

A similar investment in Tiger Woods would not be as lucrative. Coming off a sixth victory in the Bridgestone Invitational last week at Akron, Ohio, Woods is in his usual spot as favorite as he seeks his fourth victory in the PGA, but his first in a major this year.

Those who don’t mind taking a short price will get back $160 for every $100 bet on Woods, and bettors who are so inclined can take him head to head against other golfers.

Skytowercasino offers numerous matchup wagers, including Woods (-440) versus Vijay Singh (+315). Someone who fancies Woods would have to bet $440 to win $100 while a Singh fan would wager $100 to win $315. The website also offers Woods (-400) against Ernie Els (+300).

Football

In its first game since winning the Super Bowl on Feb. 4, Indianapolis is a 4 1/2 -point underdog tonight in Dallas.

Rocked in training camp by a possible season-ending injury to defensive lineman Anthony McFarland and the retirement of mainstay offensive tackle Tarik Glenn, the Colts will play the Cowboys in an exhibition for the first time since they moved to Indiana in 1984.

While the Cowboys finished 3-1 in the games that didn’t count last year, the Colts were the opposite, losing three of four and going 0-2 away from the RCA Dome.

Baseball

Colorado finds itself in unfamiliar territory in the final weeks of the season.

The Rockies are actually in contention in the National League West, having given up their usual spot in the cellar to San Francisco, and in the wild-card race.

Whether Colorado stays in the hunt remains to be seen, but the Rockies have an important four-game series beginning tonight at Coors Fields against Chicago, another NL contender.

The Cubs haven’t been kind to the Rockies this season, sweeping a three-game series at Wrigley Field in June. Ted Lilly (12-5) won one of those games and he will start tonight for favored Chicago.

The left-hander, who will be opposed by right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (1-1), has an 8-1 record in his last 10 starts.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com