Golfer Jordan Spieth expressed concern about the increasing rowdiness of golf crowds, suggesting that the rise of legalized sports betting is a significant contributing factor. Spieth stated that "betting in golf is something that's going to have to be tackled here soon."
Speaking ahead of the John Deere Classic, Spieth noted that while fan vitriol is not entirely new, the current wave of disruptive behavior is largely linked to gambling and has escalated within the last five years. He mused on whether situations like the treatment Wyndham Clark received at the U.S. Open were influenced by betting on specific players versus the entire field, especially in states where online betting is legal.
"In golf it's tricky because you could actually impact the outcome if you wanted to," Spieth said, alluding to the potential for fans to influence shots. He questioned if other sports offer fans the same capacity to affect events.
Spieth's comments come after incidents of fan abuse at recent tournaments, including at Shinnecock Hills during the U.S. Open, which led to criticism of Long Island golf fans. These events have drawn parallels to crowd behavior observed during the Ryder Cup.
Gambling on sports has seen substantial growth since 2018, with legalization expanding to 39 states, compared to only Nevada prior to that year. Thirty-two of these states, including Illinois where the John Deere Classic is held, now permit online sports betting.