Golf Betting Booming, Tiger Woods' Masters Return Could Spark Explosion

PGA Tour sees 35% year-over-year increase in betting handle, new Same Game Parlay feature debuts at The Players Championship.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 6:06pm

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The business of golf betting is booming, with the PGA Tour reporting a 35% year-over-year increase in total money bet (handle) across all sports betting platforms. The Tour has partnered with DraftKings to launch a new 'Same Game Parlay' feature that allows bettors to wager on multiple outcomes within a single golf tournament. Experts say this feature is the 'real coming-out party' for same-game parlays in golf. However, the potential return of golf legend Tiger Woods to the Masters tournament in April could drive an even bigger explosion in golf betting interest and handle.

Why it matters

The growth in golf betting, fueled by new betting features and partnerships, represents a significant opportunity for the PGA Tour to engage fans and attract new bettors. While the Tour is confident in its ability to drive interest without relying on any single player, the potential return of Tiger Woods to the Masters would undoubtedly provide a major boost to TV ratings, betting handle, and overall interest in the sport.

The details

The PGA Tour's partnership with DraftKings has resulted in the launch of a new 'Same Game Parlay' feature for golf betting, allowing bettors to wager on multiple outcomes within a single tournament. This feature provides thousands of different betting combinations and is seen as a 'seamless transition of product and market fit' for golf fans. The Tour reports that golf is its 'fastest growing sport' for betting, with handle up 35% year-over-year. However, the potential return of Tiger Woods to the Masters in April could provide an even bigger boost, as Woods is known to 'drive interest all across the globe' for the sport.

  • The Players Championship is the first signature PGA Tour event to feature the new Same Game Parlay betting option.
  • Tiger Woods has said he will not rule out a return at the Masters tournament in April 2026.

The players

Scott Warfield

PGA Tour Vice President.

Nolan Shulman

DraftKings' Vice President of Product.

Corey Gottlieb

DraftKings Chief Product Officer.

Tiger Woods

Legendary professional golfer who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon and has had seven different back surgeries.

James Anducci

A bettor who won $1.2 million by betting on Tiger Woods to win the Masters in 2019.

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What they’re saying

“Golf is our fastest growing sport.”

— Nolan Shulman, DraftKings' Vice President of Product

“This is the real coming-out party [for same-game parlays].”

— Scott Warfield, PGA Tour Vice President

“SGP is the most synonymous experience with how you actually consume sports. When you, as a fan, are thinking of a game or event. Every storyline enters your head at an individual level. There's really a seamless transition of product and market fit... Every game is a package of storylines, and every leg in your SGP is an opinion of how the game will unfold.”

— Corey Gottlieb, DraftKings Chief Product Officer

“Tiger drives interest all across the globe; there's no hiding that. It would give a boost to TV ratings, it would give a boost to sports betting handle, and overall interest for sure... It would be a nice boost, but certainly we're confident in the kind of innovation that partners continue to bring. We're not settled around one individual player.”

— Scott Warfield, PGA Tour Vice President

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The booming business of golf betting, fueled by new innovative features like Same Game Parlays, represents a significant growth opportunity for the PGA Tour. However, the potential return of Tiger Woods to the Masters could provide an even bigger boost to betting interest and handle, underscoring the enduring star power of one of golf's all-time greats.