Charles Barkley again longest shot to win celeb golf tourney
Charles Barkley is once again the 7,500-1 betting longshot to win the 2026 American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe—the longest odds in the 90-player field at Caesars Sportsbook. After opening-round frustration that went viral when he duffed a chip and launched the ball back over the green, the NBA Hall of Famer sits tied for 62nd at minus-six points.
Key Takeaways
- Charles Barkley carries 7,500-1 odds to win the celebrity event at Edgewood Tahoe, the longest price in the field for the second consecutive year.
- Caesars set his finishing-position over/under at 63.5; lead trader Anthony Salleroli told ESPN most bettors expect him to finish worse than 63rd.
- Video from Friday's opening round shows Barkley chunking a chip, then angrily firing his ball back over the front of the green.
- Despite improved past results—58th in 2024 and 69th in 2025—Barkley ended Day One tied for 62nd on minus-six points under modified Stableford scoring.
- John Smoltz told reporters Barkley has come far, citing his motivation and improved fitness after years of work on his once-infamous swing.
Why Does Charles Barkley Have the Longest Odds to Win?
According to ESPN's betting coverage, Charles Barkley enters this week's American Century Championship as the longest shot on the board at 7,500-1. Caesars Sportsbook assigned him the same longest price last year, even as he posted the two best finishes of his celebrity-golf career.
Barkley placed 58th in 2024 and 69th last year in the 90-player field. Defending champion Joe Pavelski and past winners such as Mardy Fish, Stephen Curry, and Tony Romo remain far more realistic title threats on the odds board.
Salleroli told ESPN that more money has landed on Curry to win than on any other golfer—but Barkley represents Caesars' biggest liability because his long odds have drawn enough action to sting if he ever shocked the field.
What Happened During Barkley's Viral Golf Tantrum?
Golfmagic and Barstool Sports captured the moment that dominated social feeds after Friday's first round at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada. Having already hit over the back of the green, Barkley tried to chip back toward the pin but badly chunked the shot, leaving the ball only a short distance in front of him.
Visibly furious, the 63-year-old TNT analyst walked up and struck the ball back over the front of the green in disgust. Barstool's headline summed up the scene: Barkley had duffed a chip and responded by simply launching the ball into orbit out of disgust.
The meltdown became one of the opening day's biggest talking points at an event built as much on entertainment as elite celebrity play. Golfmagic noted that Barkley, who reportedly plays off a 10 handicap after years of swing work, still found himself humbled by one bad sequence.
Can Charles Barkley Beat the Sportsbook's 63.5 Finish Line?
After Friday's round, Barkley stood tied for 62nd on minus-six points—technically inside the Caesars over/under of 63.5, though with 36 holes still to play. Speaking to media, he said he played well and wants supporters of the popular prop bet to cash in.
“I’m having a blast. I want people to win that money,” Barkley said in tournament coverage. “I think I’m a better player this year. I’m getting better at golf.”
Salleroli told ESPN that most wagers on the finish prop lean toward Barkley landing worse than 63rd. Pavelski led after Round One under modified Stableford scoring as the event continues on NBC, NBC Sports Network, and Peacock through Sunday.
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