DraftKings denied allegations Monday that it changed its house rules in the middle of the weather-shortened Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
The PGA Tour tournament that was called off Sunday evening sparked controversy between sportsbook operators and customers who felt they found a loophole that wasn't honored by DraftKings.
"We are currently reviewing the settlement of certain bets placed on this weekend's Pebble Beach Pro-Am following the cancellation of the final round due to severe weather," DraftKings told Covers in a statement.
"DraftKings' house rules are currently the same as they were at the start of the event."
DraftKings was accused of changing its house rules from 36 holes to "until the final shot,” voiding bets worth millions of dollars in payouts.
DraftKings is controversially NOT paying out some massive Pebble Beach Pro-Am futures ?
— LineTime Sports (@LineTimeSports) February 5, 2024
(credit to @GolfDigest and @pennycheck for having it first + information) pic.twitter.com/dCCYG4ouwr
The Pebble Beach Pro-Am ended after 54 holes, well above the 36-hole requirement for an official tournament stipulated by sportsbooks. This doesn't happen often, and PGA Tour officials originally had hoped for a Monday fourth round, but Mother Nature had other ideas and the tournament was done on Sunday evening.
Wyndham Clark was declared the winner, but many bettors took to Twitter to say that they had placed wagers before the fourth round was canceled which were voided by operators.
The loophole
After the tournament’s third round concluded Saturday, there was talk of impending weather altering the rest of the event. Some astute bettors saw that DraftKings was still offering odds on Saturday and even on Sunday.
High-payout wagers were placed by parlaying top-5 and top-10 finishes based on the current leaderboard, as well as betting leader Clark to outright win, in case the tournament wasn't completed.
It looked like easy wins and huge losses for sportsbooks.
However, many wagers made after the third round were voided and funds reimbursed, despite bettors disputing that house rules when the bets were made.
Cashing in
There were stories of bettors hitting big if the wagers were placed before the third round ended.
One bettor was able to get down nearly $480 with payouts of over $24,000.
They paid if you got it in before the end of the round pic.twitter.com/lEbrIQhfjg
— Kante Bets (@Kante_Bets) February 5, 2024
And then there’s heartbreak for others, who had hoped the bet would be honored.
One bettor placed a $20 wager that would’ve paid out over $750,000.
$DKNG (short?)
— TheUndefinedMystic (@pennycheck) February 5, 2024
Towards the end of round 3 Saturday at Pebble Beach some smart bettors parlayed the winner top 5 and top 10 finishers at the time on the chance the tournament would end of being shortened due to weather and the 4th round wouldnt be played
It seems unlike books… pic.twitter.com/ikW7PoOpnG
Another had hoped a $100 parlay with all of the top 20 that would’ve paid out $1.8 million. It was voided by DraftKings, and the bettor threatened legal action.
DK voided mine. I intend to sue. pic.twitter.com/tIO0WKA2zy
— Rayw44 (@__Crypto__Fan) February 5, 2024
FanDuel clarification
FanDuel also voided bets on Sunday after the tournament ended.
A FanDuel Canada spokesperson said all wagers from the Pebble Beach Pro-Am were settled "in accordance" with the online sportsbook’s house rules.
“All bets placed after the completion of the third round were voided, and all 72-hole match bets were voided because 72 holes were not completed,” the spokesperson said. “All other bets were settled based on results because they are action once 36 holes have passed.”
