Bryson DeChambeau’s newest sponsor would not fly on the PGA Tour

At a time of great uncertainty – both in professional golf tour memberships and in online gambling communities – the recent partnership between Bryson DeChambeau and Kalshi, a leading prediction marketplace, is fascinating. Just don’t expect it to work for PGA Tour members, especially if DeChambeau ever wants to become one again.

DeChambeau became the first ambassador signed by the startup company in a deal announced this week, but the move ultimately casts doubt on a potential return of the PGA Tour, as the Tour does not allow player sponsorship of prediction markets, according to recently updated membership rules.

In recent months, the Tour has broadened its restrictions and regulations around gambling (or gambling-related) sponsorship, noting that “due to the uncertain legal and regulatory framework surrounding ‘prediction markets’, gambling companies operating as ‘prediction markets’ (e.g. Kalshi, Polymarket, PredictIt) will not be approved.”

This does not currently apply to DeChambeau while he is on the LIV Golf tour, but would apply in the plausible event of recovery – an idea that has recently gained traction. DeChambeau has one year left on his original LIV contract and is in the middle of tough extension negotiations. Brooks Koepka was recently reinstated by the PGA Tour via a one-time clause that also created a path for DeChambeau, if he was interested. DeChambeau clarified his intentions to play out his contract with LIV in 2026.

The popularity of online sports gambling only continues to increase, and the options similar to standard sports gambling only continue to expand. All of this has led to the PGA Tour updating its player rules. Tour players may indeed have sponsorship from gambling companies, but unlike, for example, sponsorship from Cousin’s Subs, all gambling sponsorships must be reviewed and approved by the Tour. For example, Jordan Spieth has been an active FanDuel promoter since signing a deal with the gambling company in 2021. Spieth’s X account contained approximately the same number of FanDuel promos as any other type of post, but each of these promotional posts is subject to approval by the PGA Tour.

In 2026, the Tour has drawn a few additional lines on which companies fall under this distinction of allowable sponsorship. First, the Tour added iCasinos, lotteries, Indian tribes, horse racing tracks, sweepstakes casinos, bingo parlors, and “any other activities that simulate gambling,” expanding the definition that was once strictly limited to only “casinos, sports betting, daily fantasy, and other legal gambling establishments.” As gambling and betting-adjacent businesses continue to proliferate – and also face changing regulatory opposition – it is better for the Tour to cast as wide a net as possible.

The Tour has also included a clause in its regulations requiring such a company to “comply with all gambling laws and other applicable laws.” This may ultimately be considered legal, but it matters in 2026 as Kalshi and other prediction markets become increasingly popular. Online sports gambling has only been legalized at the state level – and is considered illegal in many states, such as California and Texas – while prediction markets are controversially allowed, despite some opposition, because they are considered “exchange markets” where participants buy and sell shares against future outcomes. (To better understand the difference, click here.)

Talk to Front office sports last week, DeChambeau said Kalshi is where “A lot of our Break 50s or course record series are going to be quite valuable. It’s going to be pretty fun for people to see if they can predict whether I’m going to break enough course records or break 50 with whoever the guest is. That’s what we’re excited about, just creating more gamification for our viewers and on LIV. You know, am I going to birdie the next hole? Am I going to do that? win this tournament or win that tournament? There are so many things you can do with prediction markets. It’s quite fun and entertaining for the fan to engage with LIV Golf and my YouTube series.

That quote alone touches on an interesting element of the PGA Tour’s player sponsorship rules. Tour players who do act as ambassadors for gambling companies are not allowed to promote betting, or anything simulating betting, on a specific player or specific bet.