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Betting on golf at the 2021 Olympics from USA? Here is our short guide!
Golf qualification for 2021 Tokyo Games and betting odds, predictions and favorites will be determined on world ranking after the US Open in June 2021.
Check legal US sportsbooks like Betamerica, Pointsbet, Will Hill, Unibet NJ/PA, Fox Bet and fanduel to see what odds they’re offering on golf matches (incl. 2021 Olympics golf tournaments) and check different betting apps to see their bonus offers for new players and promotions for existing golf handicappers.
Keep up to date with golf news on Fox Sports, NBC and ESPN. Watch golf online at fuboTV.
Take note of those talking up their Olympics chances and those a little less enthusiastic. A golfer will struggle to disguise how he feels about a certain event: positive talk will lead to positive play.
The most popular bet in golf is a straight win on the gold medallist but a good idea is not to go all in; if your choice is a dozen shots off the pace after two rounds then your interest will end halfway through the tournament. Keep some cash back for a pick after two rounds and see who is the most consistent, or who is playing better each day.
If you’re looking for quicker returns you can always bet in-play.
A bit about golf
It may only be its fourth appearance at the Olympics Games, but with some of the biggest names in the game targeting glory at Tokyo 2021 it’s a sport that will attract some serious betting.
Despite the modern game dating back to the 15th century and the sport being one of the most popular in the world, its association with the Olympics is limited. It made its bow in Paris 1900 but a dispute between the English and Scottish golf associations saw the tournament cancelled at London 1908: it was out of the Olympics picture until 2016.
Golf at the Olympics
The initial tournament in 1900 was won by American Charles Sands, with the gold at St Louis four years later going to Canadian George Lyon. Lyon travelled across the Atlantic to defend his title in London 1908, only to discover that politics in the sport saw all the home representatives withdraw. The Canadian was left as the only competitor but when offered the gold by default he took a principled stance and refused.
The return of the sport at Rio 2016 saw Britain’s Justin Rose claim gold, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson silver, and the US’s Matt Kuchar taking bronze. Kuchar may be keen to trade up that bronze in Tokyo, but with only four competitors allowed from each country, qualification will be fierce. In the women’s event, South Korea’s Imbee Park is likely to defend her title with Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda leading the US charge.
