The action is heating up in the 2011 golf season with the first major championship not far away. Each year, the world’s top golfers compete in four major championships: the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship. The Masters in April is the first of them and there are plenty of specials surrounding Tiger Woods.

William Hill has two specials on Woods. One is when he will his win his next major and the other is when he will beat Jack Nicholson’s 18 career major championships. Given his recent struggles, his doesn’t look like Woods will be accomplishing the latter anytime soon. The odds suggest he won’t even win his next major at least until next year.

Woods hasn’t won a major championship since the 2008 U.S. Open. That’s the longest for him since he won his first major in 1997, which gives some insight into how dominant he has been. His personal problems of last year seem to be behind him and many bookmakers expect him to get back to winning in 2011.

Currently, he is six shots behind the lead in the Dubai Desert Classic. Rory McIlroy is the leader after the first round with a seven-under 65. That is where McIlory got his first and only European Tour win in 2009. Woods played in the same group as the two golfers who recently passed him in the world rankings, No. 1 Lee Westwood and No. 2 Martin Kaymer. Woods didn’t get off to a good start but ended the round well with an eagle on the final hole to break par, finishing with a 1-under 71 and tying him for 27th on the leaderboard. Kaymer and Westwood are tied for 10th at 3 under.

After resting last week, this could be the event to get Woods back on track. If so, then the specials below from William Hill have some good value. Round 2 of the Dubai Desert Classic begins tomorrow.

Tiger Woods 15th Major?

U.S. Masters: 3/1

U.S. Open: 6/1

British Open: 9/1

U.S. PGA Championship: 12/1

2012 or later: 8/15

When Will Tiger Beat Jack’s Record?

Before the end of 2013: 7/4

2014 or later: 2/5