DraftKings Sees Record Day After Round 1 of the Charles Schwab Challenge

• The Charles Schwab Challenge’s First Round was the most bet on PGA Tour event in DraftKings history.
• Justin Rose and Harold Varner III were tied for the lead after shooting a 63 in the first round of play.
• Rory McIlroy is the current favorite to win the Charles Schwab Challenge at +450 odds.

NEW YORK — The coronavirus pandemic kept the PGA Tour in hiatus at sportsbooks for nearly three months. On Thursday, the return of the PGA Tour was a welcome sight to sports bettors and golf fans alike as the Charles Schwab Challenge’s first round was the most bet on PGA Tour event in DraftKings history.

The first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge set a new record at DraftKings for a PGA Tour event but is not the most bet on golf event ever at the sportsbook. The Match: Champions for Charity Showdown between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson which was held in May holds that title.

However, one of the main reasons why the Charles Schwab Challenge has seen so many bets through live betting is the loaded field of golfers and a lack of other legal sports betting opportunities.

“We’ve got in-game wagering right now; after they’re done for today we’ll put up the tournament prices and you can bet until they start again tomorrow, and then in-game again. With the current circumstances the way they are, there’s just been a huge push in golf wagering; it’s taken them to historic levels. It will definitely surpass The Match [in money wagered],” said Johnny Avello, director of race and bookmaking operations at DraftKings.

At the conclusion of the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge, Justin Rose and Harold Varner III were atop the leaderboard at -7 (63). With no Tiger Woods in the field, it’s good to see golf still setting records at sportsbooks.

Round 2 is currently underway and those looking to get into the live betting action should take a look at the odds below from Bovada. These odds are subject to change throughout the event.

The Charles Schwab Challenge won’t end until Sunday so bettors have all weekend to let the field playout some more. For those who want to watch the tournament, CBS Sports and the Golf Channel are broadcasting the action from their apps.

News tags: Charles Schwab Challenge | DraftKings | golf | Golf Betting | Golf Channel | Harold Varner III | Jordan Spieth | Justin Rose | Justin Thomas | PGA Tour | Phil Mickelson | Rory Mcllroy | The Match: Champions For Charity | Tiger Woods