The Masters 2025: How Rory McIlroy made a lot of money for gamblers

Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited victory at the 2025 Masters didn’t just hand him a coveted Green Jacket, it made a bunch of lucky bettors a whole lot of green. While McIlroy was securing his first career Masters win, sportsbooks were holding their breath, praying McIlroy would choke.
In the final round, McIlroy was leading by two strokes, and it seemed like the moment had finally arrived for him to fulfill his major championship destiny. For one DraftKings bettor, the stakes couldn’t have been higher: $10,000 placed on McIlroy to win at +650, promising a payout of $65,000. As McIlroy, who was now a -190 favorite, teed off on Sunday, that bettor must have been feeling pretty good. But, as with all great sporting moments, the drama wasn’t over.
McIlroy’s performance was the definition of high drama. He delivered some truly spectacular shots—like the now-iconic approach on 17 that left even seasoned pros in awe but also showed the occasional “McIlroy moment” when he missed key putts and carded a double bogey. When McIlroy’s missed putt on the 18th left him in a tie for the lead, it sent fans and bettors into a frenzy. The tension wasn’t resolved until McIlroy took down Justin Rose in a tense playoff, sealing his victory and triggering a flood of excitement among those who had bet on him.
McIlroy wasn’t just popular with casual fans. At BetMGM, he led all golfers in both total bets (10.6%) and money wagered (14.8%). His odds, which started at +1200, steadily dropped to +650 as the tournament progressed, showing just how much faith bettors had in his chances. Sportsbooks, however, weren’t as enthusiastic about McIlroy’s surge. Seamus Magee, trading manager at BetMGM, put it bluntly: “We were cheering against McIlroy.” For sportsbooks, McIlroy’s win meant substantial losses.
“We were a small loser to Rory,” said Thomas Gable, sportsbook director at The Borgata. “With the amount of money coming in, we knew it was going to be a tight finish. We were hoping for a Justin Rose win—it would have been a better outcome for us.” In the world of sports betting, it’s not just about who wins on the course; it’s about managing the flood of wagers and the impact of those outcomes.
But it wasn’t just the outright win that had bettors winning big. McIlroy’s status as a favorite meant plenty of action in the prop betting markets too. Bettors who had McIlroy finishing in the top 5, or who placed wagers on his final score, found themselves on the winning side of a highly profitable bet. His performance throughout the tournament had earned him a loyal following of backers who felt confident in his ability to secure the victory.
Of course, not every bettor went home with a smile. Ludvig Åberg, the young star from Sweden, had been a popular pick to finish in the top 5. He was in third place heading into the final hole, but a triple bogey on 18 dropped him to seventh, costing bettors who had staked on him a chunk of change. It’s the kind of heartbreaker that makes betting on golf both thrilling and unforgiving.
Another prop bet that caught the attention of many was the total score. Bettors who had wagered on an under 276.5 winning score found themselves watching closely as McIlroy missed that critical putt on 18. That one miss bumped the final score from 276 to 277, turning a winning bet into a losing one. It was a small moment, but in the world of sports betting, those moments can make all the difference.
While McIlroy’s win was a milestone for many, the story isn’t over. The next big tournament on the calendar is the PGA Championship, set for May. And yes, sportsbooks are already preparing for the next wave of bets. McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are once again the favorites, with McIlroy sitting just behind Scheffler at +550. After his performance at Augusta, it’s no surprise that the betting world is already looking to see if McIlroy can carry his momentum into the next major.
Rory McIlroy’s victory at the Masters wasn’t just a victory for him—it was a win for thousands of bettors who had placed their money on his triumph. For sportsbooks, it was a reminder of just how unpredictable and volatile the world of betting can be. In the end, McIlroy proved that sometimes, faith in a champion can pay off in ways that go far beyond the scoreboard.