Bryson DeChambeau’s new sponsor won’t fly on the PGA Tour
At a time of great uncertainty – both in the golf tour membership and in the online betting community – the latest partnership between Bryson DeChambeau and Kalshi, the world’s leading betting market, is surprising. Don’t expect it to work out for PGA Tour members — especially if DeChambeau wants to be one again.
DeChambeau was the first affiliate signed by the startup in a deal announced this week, but the move ultimately casts doubt on the PGA Tour’s return since the Tour does not allow player sponsorships from the betting market, according to recently revised membership rules.
In recent months, the Tour has expanded its restrictions and rules regarding the sponsorship of gambling (or near-gambling), noting that “due to the uncertain legal and regulatory framework regarding “prediction markets”, Gambling Companies operating as ‘prediction markets’ (eg, Kalshi, Polymarket, PredictIt) will not be allowed.”
This doesn’t currently apply to DeChambeau as he competes on the LIV Golf Tour, but it will apply in the case of a sound restoration – an idea that has recently gained popularity. DeChambeau has one year left on his original LIV contract and is in the midst of tricky extension talks. Brooks Koepka was recently reinstated by the PGA Tour with a one-time clause that created a path for DeChambeau, too, if he wanted to take it. DeChambeau made clear his intentions to play out his contract with LIV through 2026.
The popularity of online sports gambling continues to grow, and methods like traditional sports gambling continue to grow. All of this has caused the PGA Tour to revise its rules for players. Tour players are indeed allowed to have sponsorships with gambling companies, but unlike, say, sponsorships from Cousin’s Subs, all gambling sponsorships must be reviewed and approved by the Tour. Jordan Spieth, for example, has been an active FanDuel promoter since signing a deal with the gambling company in 2021. In 2025, Spieth’s X account posted about the same number of FanDuel promos as any other type of post — but each promotional post is subject to PGA Tour approval.
In 2026, the Tour has drawn up a few more restrictions on which companies fall under this difference in allowed sponsorship. First, the Tour added iCasinos, lotteries, Indian tribes, horse tracks, sweepstakes casinos, bingo parlors and “any other activities that simulate gambling,” expanding the definition that was once limited to “casinos, sports betting, daily fantasy and other legal gambling companies.” As gambling and related companies proliferate — and face growing regulatory opposition — it’s best for the Tour to cast as wide a net as possible.
The Tour also included a clause in its guidelines requiring any such company to “comply with all applicable gambling and other laws.” This can finally be considered legitimate, but it is important in 2026 as Kalshi and other speculation markets continue to be popular. Online sports gambling is only legal at the federal level – and is considered illegal in many states, such as California and Texas – while prediction markets have been allowed controversially, despite some opposition, as they are considered “exchange” markets where participants buy and sell stocks against future results. (To better understand the difference, click here.)
While many people consider betting markets and sports betting books to be very similar, the PGA Tour simply takes the former seriously. DeChambeau, on the other hand, seems bullish.
Speaking to Front Office Sports last week, DeChambeau said in Kalshi that “A bunch of Break 50s or a series of course records is going to be very valuable. It’s going to be really fun for people to see if they can predict if I’m going to break enough course records or break 50 with anyone who’s a guest. That’s what we’re interested in, creating more viewers I know in our LIV like Gamification. birdie on the next hole Will I win this tournament or that tournament There are only so many things you can do with prediction markets It’s fun and exciting for fans to get involved with LIV Golf and my YouTube series.
That quote alone touches on an interesting aspect of the PGA Tour’s sponsor rules. Tour players who act as ambassadors for gambling companies not permitted to promote betting, or anything that simulates betting, on a particular player or particular bet.
