Crossword Genius

Temporary odds, absorbing for golfers? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stopgap

'temporary' is the definition.
(a stopgap measure is a temporary one)

'odds absorbing for golfers?' is the wordplay.
'odds' becomes 'sp' (betting abbreviation for starting price).
'absorbing' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'for' becomes 'to' (eg both can mean 'in the opinion of').
'golfers?' becomes 'PGA' (Professional Golfers' Association).
'to'+'pga'='topga'
'sp' enclosing 'topga' is 'STOPGAP'.

(Other definitions for stopgap that I've seen before include "Temporary fix" , "Temporary measure" , "Interim" , "A temporary or impromptu substitute" , "caretaker" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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