2026 Golf Odds | Masters, UK and US Open, & PGA Championship

The golf Majors represent the pinnacle of futures betting, offering a mix of course-specific strategy, elite-field volatility, and long-term form evaluation that makes these markets some of the most intriguing in all of sports wagering. Each Major — The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship — presents a dramatically different test of skill. From Augusta’s precision-focused layout to the U.S. Open’s punishing rough, the PGA’s shot-making demands, and the wild weather swings of a true links setup, bettors must account for far more than recent leaderboards when analyzing outright odds.

Because player profiles often peak on certain course types, successful Major betting requires a sharp understanding of ball-striking trends, scrambling ability, strokes-gained data, and even psychological resilience under pressure. Some golfers excel on firm and fast layouts, others on tight tree-lined fairways, and a few thrive only in windy or unpredictable conditions.

When evaluating futures markets across all four Majors, bettors should consistently track:

1. Strokes Gained metrics (Approach, Tee-to-Green, Putting, Around-the-Green).

2. Course history, especially at The Masters and recurring U.S. Open venues.

3. Weather adaptability, which has major influence at The Open Championship.

4. Driving accuracy vs. distance needs, depending on the course setup.

5. Major championship temperament, reflected in past contention under pressure.

Below, you’ll find regularly updated odds for each Major, pulled from leading sportsbooks. Whether targeting early long-shot value or monitoring sharp movement during lead-up tournaments, this page serves as a complete guide to betting the biggest events in professional golf.

Historical Betting Odds vs. Golf Major Champions

Historical odds in golf’s Major championships reveal a pattern far less predictable than many bettors assume. While elite players frequently contend, outright winners often come from the mid-range tier — and occasionally from deep down the board — creating some of the most lucrative futures markets in sports. Each Major has its own profile, and understanding how the odds have historically translated into actual champions allows bettors to identify genuine value long before a tournament begins.

The Masters tends to reward players with strong course familiarity, which is why many winners come from the top 20 of the odds board. Yet even Augusta has seen surprises, such as Danny Willett in 2016, who entered the week at prices as long as 60/1. The U.S. Open historically leans toward elite ball-strikers near the top of the market, but it too has produced shockers — like Webb Simpson (2012), who won at roughly 80/1, or Lucas Glover (2009) at 150/1.

The PGA Championship is traditionally the most volatile Major, delivering winners from nearly every pricing tier. Jimmy Walker (2016) and Keegan Bradley (2011) both cashed at 50/1+, while long shot Rich Beem (2002) stunned the field at around 300/1. Meanwhile, The Open Championship remains the most weather-influenced Major, making it fertile ground for mid-range and deep-value winners, including Darren Clarke (2011) at 150/1 and Todd Hamilton (2004) at eye-popping 300/1.

Key historical patterns for bettors include:

• Favorites win The Masters most often, due to course familiarity.

• Mid-range contenders thrive at The Open and PGA, where volatility is high.

• Long shots have the best historical success at the PGA and The Open.

• U.S. Open winners typically come from elite ball-striking profiles, though exceptions occur.

Recognizing how pricing trends align with each Major’s identity helps bettors isolate true value and avoid overpaying for favorites with limited historical support.

Course-Type Specialists: Who Thrives on Links, Tight Tree-Line, or Firm & Fast Setups?

Certain players perform dramatically differently depending on course architecture, turf conditions, and layout style — making course-type specialization one of the most important angles in golf Major futures betting. Links golf, tree-lined parkland setups, and firm-and-fast championship layouts each reward completely different skill sets. Bettors who recognize which players gain (or lose) value in these environments can identify mispriced odds before the public adjusts.

Links specialists often thrive in swirling wind, uneven lies, and creative shot-making scenarios. These players excel at controlling trajectory, shaping shots, and adapting to unpredictable bounces. Tight, tree-lined courses reward precision drivers and elite ball-strikers who can consistently find narrow corridors and avoid penalty strokes. Firm-and-fast setups, especially in U.S. Open conditions, favor players with disciplined approach play, superb distance control, and the ability to manage greens that reject poorly struck irons.

When assessing course-type specialization, bettors should keep an eye on key profiles:

• Links specialists: Players with low-ball flight, high creativity, strong wind numbers, and proven Open Championship success.

• Tree-lined performers: Accurate drivers, elite tee-to-green profiles, and players who thrive on courses requiring positional strategy.

• Firm-and-fast contenders: High-quality approach players with excellent scrambling and the patience to manage thick rough and fast greens.

• Weather-adaptable golfers: Those with strong wind-adjusted strokes-gained metrics.

• Surface preference: Some players excel on fescue, others on bentgrass or poa annua greens.

Understanding how these profiles align with each Major venue — and with yearly course setups — gives bettors a significant advantage when targeting value in golf futures markets.

How Pre-Major Form Predicts Championship Success

Pre-Major form has long been one of the most reliable indicators of who is truly ready to contend on golf’s biggest stages. While a single hot week can create misleading buzz, sustained performance in the lead-up stretch — especially in ball-striking metrics — often separates genuine championship threats from temporary leaderboard fillers. Bettors who study form trends across the 4–6 weeks before a Major routinely gain an edge over markets that overreact to name recognition alone.

Strong approach play is the clearest predictor of success. Players gaining heavily in Strokes Gained: Approach or Tee-to-Green often carry that form into Major week, where precision becomes even more valuable. Recent top-10 finishes also matter, as they reflect both confidence and competitive sharpness. Even a temporarily hot putter can indicate short-term momentum, though putting spikes are less predictive without strong underlying iron play.

Past examples show how consistent form translates to Major wins. Scottie Scheffler entered the 2022 Masters after a run of elite ball-striking and three wins in six starts — and rolled that form directly into his first Green Jacket. Brooks Koepka’s U.S. Open victories often followed periods where he ranked near the top in ball-striking but wasn’t yet getting the results, signaling an impending breakout.

Key indicators bettors should watch prior to every Major include:

• SG: Approach and Tee-to-Green trends over the last 12 rounds

• Back-to-back top-10 or top-20 finishes

• Low scoring dispersion (few blow-up rounds)

• Consistent putting performance on upcoming Major’s green surface

• Positive results in comparable course setups

When these factors align, a player’s pre-Major form often foretells a deep run — and sometimes a trophy.

Strokes Gained Profiles of Major Winners

Strokes Gained data has become one of the strongest predictors of Major championship success, and bettors who understand which categories matter most at each event gain a significant edge in futures markets. While every Major tests a different combination of skills, historical trends show that certain strokes-gained profiles consistently rise to the top when championship pressure is highest. Winners rarely rely on one elite area alone — they tend to excel in the metrics that most closely match the layout demands of each tournament.

At Augusta, SG: Approach and SG: Putting dominate, as precise iron play and elite green-reading separate contenders. The U.S. Open rewards SG: Tee-to-Green more than any other metric, especially when driving accuracy and scrambling become survival skills. The Open Championship often emphasizes SG: Around-the-Green due to links conditions, uneven lies, and unpredictable bounces. The PGA Championship typically favors well-rounded profiles, with SG: Approach carrying the most predictive power.

Key strokes-gained patterns among Major winners include:

• SG: Approach: The single strongest predictor across all Majors.

• SG: Tee-to-Green: Essential for U.S. Open and PGA contenders.

• SG: Putting: Most influential at Augusta National.

• SG: Around-the-Green: Crucial in windy, links-style Open Championships.

• Balanced SG profiles: Often the hallmark of PGA and multi-Major winners.

Understanding these strokes-gained trends helps bettors evaluate whether a player’s underlying performance truly sets them up for Major championship success — or if recent results are masking weaknesses unlikely to survive a four-round test.