Who Is the Best Athlete Golfer? A Professional Caddy’s Gambling Perspective
Spend enough time around professional caddies and you’ll quickly learn two things.
First, they know golf.
Second…they love action.
Whether it’s Nassau bets, skins games, first birdie, closest-to-the-pin, or who buys dinner after the round, caddies have been sizing up golfers—and setting odds—for generations. It’s part of the culture. A great caddy isn’t just reading greens; he’s quietly handicapping every player in the group before the first tee shot is struck.
So every July, when the world’s greatest athletes descend on Edgewood Tahoe for the American Century Championship, our network of experienced caddies can’t help themselves.
The conversations start immediately.
“Who’s got game?”
“Who travels?”
“Who’s a great range player but can’t score?”
“Who’s money on Sunday?”
Over the years, we’ve caddied for PGA TOUR professionals, club champions, scratch amateurs, weekend warriors, and more than a few celebrities. While none of us claim to know exactly who will lift the trophy every year, one thing is certain:
If our network of caddies had to build a betting board before the tournament started, this is how we’d rank the field.
- Mardy Fish — The Smart Money
If real money were on the line, most caddies would still make Mardy Fish the favorite.
He doesn’t overpower Edgewood. He simply refuses to beat himself.
His tempo never changes. His decision-making is outstanding. He knows exactly when to attack and when to take his medicine. That’s the kind of golfer caddies love because there’s very little guessing involved.
He’s also proven it repeatedly, winning multiple American Century Championships and contending almost every time he tees it up. (NBC Sports)
Caddy Betting Grade: ★★★★★
- Stephen Curry — The Closer
If the bet is simply Who has the highest ceiling this week?, plenty of caddies would take Steph.
Nobody in the celebrity field feeds off pressure quite like Curry. His dramatic walk-off eagle to win the 2023 American Century Championship only reinforced what basketball fans already knew—he embraces big moments. (PGA Tour)
His short game continues to improve every season, and he possesses something gamblers value more than almost any statistic:
Confidence.
When Steph gets rolling, he starts making putts from everywhere.
Caddy Betting Grade: ★★★★★
- Joe Pavelski — The Grinder
Every gambling caddy loves backing grinders.
Joe Pavelski rarely gets rattled. He doesn’t chase miracle shots, and he keeps himself in tournaments by avoiding costly mistakes. That formula paid off with his victory at Edgewood in 2025, capped by an eagle on the final hole. (Golf Channel)
He’s the type of player you’d happily wager on over 54 holes.
Caddy Betting Grade: ★★★★☆
- Tony Romo — High Risk, High Reward
No celebrity golfer probably understands scoring better than Tony Romo.
He’s capable of shooting the best round in the field—but he can also bring a little volatility.
From a gambling standpoint, Romo is the guy you’d sprinkle into outright winner bets because when everything clicks, he absolutely has championship golf in him. His three American Century Championship victories prove exactly that. (NBC Sports)
Caddy Betting Grade: ★★★★☆
- Mark Mulder — The Ball Striker
Ask ten caddies who has the purest golf swing in celebrity golf and Mark Mulder’s name comes up almost every time.
His ball striking is exceptional, and he’s been one of the tournament’s most consistent contenders for years.
If putting were the only contest, others might have the edge.
If ball striking were the wager, Mulder would attract plenty of money.
Caddy Betting Grade: ★★★★☆
So…Who Would We Bet On?
Ask a hundred experienced caddies and you’ll probably get twenty different betting slips.
But if we pooled our money before Thursday’s opening tee shot, the consensus would look something like this:
- Mardy Fish
- Stephen Curry
- Joe Pavelski
- Tony Romo
- Mark Mulder
Not because they have the prettiest swings.
Not because they’re the biggest celebrities.
Because over time they’ve consistently demonstrated the traits gamblers love: discipline, course management, composure under pressure, and the ability to make birdies without making big mistakes.
That’s exactly how experienced caddies evaluate golfers.
The Real Secret Isn’t Talent—It’s Strategy
Watching these athletes at Edgewood can fool you into thinking the course is all about great swings.
It’s not.
Edgewood Tahoe rewards smart decisions far more than perfect golf shots.
Knowing where to miss. Knowing when to attack. Understanding how altitude affects yardages. Playing to the proper side of the fairway.
Those are the details local caddies obsess over.
And they’re the same insights you’ll find in the CaddyTips Edgewood Tahoe Course Guide.
If you’re planning your own trip to Edgewood, don’t just follow the celebrities.
Follow the local caddies who’ve been making the smart bets all along.