Charles Barkley's attempt to place a $500,000 bet on himself at the American Century Championship golf tournament in 2024 was thwarted by regulations prohibiting athletes from wagering on their own performance. Barkley humorously lamented this restriction while reminiscing about his competitive spirit. His betting aspirations came after showing remarkable improvement, finishing 58th in 2024, a stark contrast to his previous years where he struggled to break the top 70.

Despite being given the longest odds at 7,500-1 for this year's tournament, Barkley started strong with a tie for 24th in the first round, showcasing his potential. Stephen Curry, also a participant, humorously critiqued Barkley's golf prowess, continuing their friendly rivalry. Barkley's history with gambling includes previous fines, yet his confidence in his performance remains unshaken.