Golf Betting Odds & Event Preview – March 2026

March is one of the busiest months in the professional golf calendar, with several major PGA Tour and international events taking place before the start of the Masters in April. Interest from UK bettors traditionally increases during this period as punters attempt to identify players building form ahead of the season’s first major championship.

This article reviews the key golf tournaments taking place in March 2026, the betting trends seen among UK bookmakers, potential outside favourites, and the types of bets most commonly placed by golf bettors.

Key Global Golf Events – March 2026

Arnold Palmer Invitational (March 5–8, 2026)

Location: Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida
Tour: PGA Tour

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of the most prestigious early-season events on the PGA Tour calendar and regularly attracts a strong field of top-ranked players. The challenging Bay Hill layout demands accurate iron play, strong putting, and patience across difficult greens.

Betting Market (UK Bookmakers)

Early betting markets typically placed the following players among the favourites:

• Scottie Scheffler – approximately 6/1

• Rory McIlroy – approximately 10/1

• Collin Morikawa – approximately 16/1

• Viktor Hovland – approximately 18/1

Outside Favourites

Several players were considered value picks by bettors looking beyond the main contenders:

• Sungjae Im – known for consistent ball striking

• Russell Henley – strong approach play

• Akshay Bhatia – a young player gaining momentum on the tour

Popular Bets

Common betting markets for this tournament included:

• Each-way bets with extended place terms

• Top-10 and Top-20 finish markets

• First-round leader bets

Each-way betting is particularly popular in golf due to large tournament fields and the possibility of extended place payouts.

Likely Outcome

Bay Hill typically rewards elite ball strikers and players with strong all-round games. While favourites such as Scheffler or Morikawa often perform well here, the tournament can still produce surprise winners when emerging players find form.

The Players Championship (March 12–15, 2026)

Location: TPC Sawgrass, Florida
Status: PGA Tour flagship event

The Players Championship is often referred to as golf’s unofficial “fifth major.” The event features one of the strongest fields in the sport and is famous for the dramatic island-green 17th hole, which frequently creates pivotal moments late in the tournament.

Betting Odds

Leading contenders in UK betting markets included:

• Scottie Scheffler – around 4/1 favourite

• Rory McIlroy – around 9/1

• Xander Schauffele – around 12/1

• Collin Morikawa – around 20–25/1

Outside Favourites

Potential value picks identified by bettors included:

• Cameron Young – powerful driver with scoring ability

• Russell Henley – accurate iron player

• Brooks Koepka – known for performing well in major-style events

Popular Bets

Punters often favour several different betting options for this tournament:

• Tournament winner markets

• Top-20 finish bets

• Head-to-head matchups between players

Because TPC Sawgrass can produce unpredictable results, matchup betting is particularly popular among experienced bettors.

Likely Outcome

Scottie Scheffler’s consistency and elite ball striking make him one of the strongest contenders. However, the challenging layout and high-pressure closing holes mean that the event frequently produces tight leaderboards and unexpected contenders.

Valspar Championship (March 19–22, 2026)

Location: Innisbrook Resort – Copperhead Course, Florida

The Valspar Championship is played on the demanding Copperhead Course, which is widely regarded as one of the most difficult non-major venues on the PGA Tour schedule. The course places emphasis on accuracy, course management, and strong approach play.

Betting Favourites

Players often considered among the leading contenders included:

• Sam Burns – strong record at this event

• Justin Thomas

• Shane Lowry

• Tommy Fleetwood

Outside Favourites

Potential outside contenders included:

• Corey Conners

• Keegan Bradley

• Sepp Straka

Popular Bets

Popular betting markets included:

• Top American player

• Top European player

• Winning margin markets

Likely Outcome

The Copperhead Course typically rewards precise iron players rather than long hitters. Experienced players with consistent approach play and reliable putting often perform well here.

Texas Children’s Houston Open (March 26–29, 2026)

Location: Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas

The Houston Open takes place shortly before the Masters and is often viewed as a final opportunity for players to sharpen their games before the first major championship of the season.

Betting Market Leaders

Among the leading names in early betting markets were:

• Scottie Scheffler

• Tony Finau

• Sam Burns

• Viktor Hovland

Outside Favourites

Value picks identified by bettors included:

• Min Woo Lee

• Taylor Montgomery

• Si Woo Kim

Popular Bets

Popular betting markets for this event included:

• First-round leader

• Top debutant

• Nationality markets

Likely Outcome

The Houston Open often rewards players already in good form. Because many competitors use the tournament as preparation for the Masters, players near the top of the betting market frequently contend.

Other Notable Golf Events in Early March

Puerto Rico Open

The Puerto Rico Open typically runs alongside one of the larger PGA Tour events and provides opportunities for lower-ranked players to compete for a PGA Tour victory. These tournaments frequently produce first-time winners, making them attractive to bettors searching for long-odds selections.

International Tour Events

Events on international tours also take place throughout March, with many players seeking ranking points and qualification opportunities for upcoming major championships.

Golf Betting Trends in the UK – March 2026

1. Each-Way Betting

Golf remains one of the most popular sports for each-way betting. Many UK bookmakers offer extended place terms, sometimes paying out up to twelve places in major tournaments.

2. Player Matchups

Head-to-head matchups between players have become increasingly popular, allowing bettors to focus on performance comparisons rather than predicting the outright winner.

3. Data-Driven Betting

Many bettors now rely on statistical analysis when placing golf bets. Common metrics used include:

• Strokes gained approach

• Driving accuracy

• Putting averages

These statistics help identify players whose performance may be undervalued by bookmakers.

4. Long-Shot Betting

Because professional golf tournaments feature large fields, outsider selections can occasionally deliver strong returns. This encourages bettors to consider players further down the betting market.

Masters Betting Impact

Although the Masters takes place in April, performances during March tournaments often influence betting markets for the major championship. Players who perform well during the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Players Championship, and the Houston Open frequently see their odds shorten for the Masters.

Leading contenders for the upcoming major often include:

• Scottie Scheffler

• Rory McIlroy

• Jon Rahm

• Bryson DeChambeau

Strong performances during March events can significantly impact betting markets heading into the first major of the season.

Overall Outlook for March 2026 Golf

March serves as a crucial period in the professional golf calendar. Several high-profile tournaments take place during the month, and many players aim to build momentum before the Masters.

Key trends shaping the golf betting landscape in the UK include:

• Strong betting support for elite players such as Scheffler and McIlroy

• Growing attention on emerging players capable of challenging established stars

• Increased use of statistical analysis when placing bets

While favourites often dominate betting markets, the unpredictable nature of professional golf means that outsider contenders frequently emerge, providing opportunities for bettors seeking value selections.

Summary

March 2026 features a busy schedule of global golf tournaments, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Players Championship, the Valspar Championship, and the Houston Open. With major players competing and bettors actively analysing form ahead of the Masters, the month represents one of the most exciting periods for golf betting in the UK.