Tiger Effect: Why Golf Betting Is Booming — and How a Masters Return Could Supercharge It

The business of golf betting is thriving — and one familiar name could send it into overdrive.

Just a few years ago, the sport faced uncertainty as LIV Golf began luring away some of the biggest stars from the PGA Tour. The rivalry created turbulence across the professional game and raised questions about the Tour’s long-term stability.

Now, the landscape looks very different.

While LIV’s momentum has slowed, the PGA Tour has found renewed energy — and one of its fastest-growing areas is sports betting. By embracing wagering partnerships and new betting products, the Tour is tapping into a rapidly expanding audience of engaged fans.

“Handle (total money bet) for the PGA Tour is up 35 percent year over year,” PGA Tour Vice President Scott Warfield told the New York Post, noting the increase spans multiple sports betting platforms.

One of the biggest developments has come through the Tour’s partnership with DraftKings, which recently introduced a “Same Game Parlay” option for golf bettors — a feature long popular in other sports but previously unavailable in professional golf.

“Golf is our fastest-growing sport,” said DraftKings Vice President of Product Nolan Shulman.

The feature allows bettors to combine multiple predictions within the same tournament. A fan, for example, could wager on a player hitting an approach shot within 10 feet of the hole, winning the first round, and ultimately capturing the tournament — all in one bet. Thousands of combinations are possible.

“This is the real coming-out party for same-game parlays,” Warfield said, noting that The Players Championship served as the first signature event to offer the feature.

Corey Gottlieb, DraftKings’ Chief Product Officer, said the appeal comes from the way fans naturally follow sports.

“SGP is the most synonymous experience with how you actually consume sports,” Gottlieb explained. “When you’re watching an event, every storyline enters your head individually. Each leg of a same-game parlay reflects an opinion on how the event will unfold.”

Even with betting interest already surging, the sport could see another massive boost if one of its biggest icons returns to competition this spring.

All eyes are on Tiger Woods and the possibility of a comeback at The Masters Tournament in April.

“Tiger drives interest all across the globe — there’s no hiding that,” Warfield said. “It would boost TV ratings, sports betting handle, and overall interest. It would be a nice lift, but we’re also confident in the innovations our partners continue to bring.”

Woods has not ruled out playing at Augusta National as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 15-time major champion has battled persistent injuries in recent years, including multiple back surgeries.

His presence, however, still commands enormous attention from bettors.

Some wager on him to make history — like James Anducci, who famously won $1.2 million when Woods captured the Masters in 2019. Others bet against him. One bettor reportedly placed $222,000 on Woods not to win the Masters in 2023, earning a modest $2,000 profit.

Either way, when Tiger is involved, the betting world takes notice.

And if he tees it up at Augusta again, the golf betting boom may be just getting started.