PGA Tour
Betting Guide
Professional Golfers Association Tour
The PGA Tour is the top professional golf circuit in the world and the primary focus of US golf betting. The Tour runs nearly year-round and includes the four major championships: The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open Championship. Golf bettors love outright winners due to the 100+ player fields and long odds available.
What You Should Know
- The 4 majors: Masters, PGA, US Open, The Open
- The Masters always at Augusta National in April
- Outright winners can pay +1000 to +15000
- Head-to-head matchups are popular alternatives
- FedEx Cup Playoffs finish the season each August
How to Bet on PGA Tour
The main PGA Tour markets you'll find at any legal US sportsbook, with a one-line take on each.
Outright Winner
Pick the tournament winner. Field sizes of 100-156 players mean payouts run from +900 (favorites at majors) to +15000+ (longshots). The signature golf bet.
Top 5 / Top 10 / Top 20
Place bets that pay if your golfer finishes in the bracket. Lower variance than outright but lower payouts. Often better EV on consistent veterans.
Head-to-Head Matchups
Two golfers paired, you pick which finishes higher over 18 holes (round matchup) or 72 holes (tournament matchup). Eliminates the field, like a tennis match.
Make/Miss the Cut
Yes/no on whether your golfer survives Friday's cut to play the weekend. Cut percentage on Tour is around 60-65% for fully exempt players.
First Round Leader
Bet on who leads after Thursday's round. Massive longshot odds (+5000 to +15000) because it requires hitting on a single round of golf.
PGA Tour Season Calendar
- Jan: West Coast Swing
- Mar: Players Championship
- Apr: Masters (year's first major)
- May: PGA Championship
- Jun: US Open
- Jul: The Open Championship
- Aug: FedEx Cup Playoffs
- Sep: Tour Championship + Ryder Cup years
Most-Bet PGA Tour Markets
The markets that drive the bulk of PGA Tour handle at US books.
- Outright winner
- Top 5 / Top 10 / Top 20
- Head-to-head matchups
- Make/Miss cut
- First round leader
PGA Tour Betting FAQ
What are the four golf majors?
The Masters (April, Augusta National), PGA Championship (May), US Open (June), and The Open Championship (July, in the UK). Outright winner futures payouts are tighter at majors because elite players bunch at the top of the odds board.
Are head-to-head matchups easier than outright bets?
Yes, statistically. You pick between two players instead of one of 100+. Most matchups price at -120 to +100 with juice, so the math is closer to coin-flip than longshot.
How do live golf bets work?
Live odds update after every hole. A golfer's price shifts based on score relative to leader and holes remaining. Dead-money longshots can become +500 outright leaders by Sunday morning.
Why are first round leader props so popular?
They're lottery tickets. A $10 wager at +10000 returns $1,010 if you nail a Thursday leader. The variance is brutal but the upside makes them a staple PGA Tour bet.