U.S. Debut of LIV Golf Tour Sparks Betting Curiosity: Will Gamblers Jump Aboard?
A professional golf tour backed by Saudi Arabia, LIV Golf, is poised to escalate its presence this weekend, as it hosts its first event in the United States. The Portland, Oregon tournament marks the second overall event for the new tour, following its inaugural event in London, won by 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.
Five out of the tour's eight events this season will take place in the U.S., with the season-ending event scheduled for Miami in late October. Two of the five American events will be held at courses owned by former President Donald Trump.
Unlike the weekly schedule of the PGA and European tours, the LIV Golf tournaments in Portland, New Jersey, Boston, and Chicago are spread out from now until mid-September. The Portland event, held at Pumpkin Ridge, is set to compete with the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic, one of the tour's lower-profile stops.
Despite a smaller roster compared to its PGA and European counterparts, the LIV Golf tour has attracted prominent talent with offers of substantial money. Members include three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, U.S. Open winners Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, as well as Bryson DeChambeau and former European Tour stars Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
Koepka, DeChambeau, and Pat Perez, who recently signed with the tour, will make their LIV Golf debuts in Portland. Additionally, Matthew Wolff, Carlos Ortiz, and No. 2 ranked amateur Eugenio Chacarra, who joined the tour last week, will also make their LIV Golf debuts in the tournament.
Golf has long been a sport conducive to sports betting, particularly with in-game betting due to the slow pace of play. This allows for quick and nuanced market offerings.
However, the availability of wagering on LIV Golf events varies by state. Wagering is reportedly available in large-market betting states like Nevada, Illinois, and Arizona, while it is not on the approved list in Indiana. Tennessee's Sports Wagering Advisory Council has declined to make LIV events available for operators to offer, and some operators are not providing markets for LIV events in certain states.
In Illinois and Colorado, golf is a significant draw, with $168 million and at least $109.6 million wagered on golf since their respective launches. DraftKings is offering markets for the event as the official sportsbook for the Oregon Lottery, where the tournament is being held this weekend.
While specific, up-to-date information on the legal status or availability of wagering on LIV events in these states may not be readily available, the general trend suggests that they are likely to be offered in states where sports betting is permitted. For detailed, current information, checking with licensed sportsbooks operating in each state or state gaming control boards is recommended.
- Golf enthusiasts in Oregon, Illinois, and Arizona can potentially place wagers on the LIV Golf tournament in Portland this weekend, as it is being offered by DraftKings, the official sportsbook for the Oregon Lottery.
- The Portland event will see the debut of several prominent players, including Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Matthew Wolff, as they compete against the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic.
- The LIV Golf tour, with its unique schedule that spans from now until mid-September, has attracted a smaller roster of golfers compared to the PGA and European tours, but its line features big names such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Lee Westwood.
