Sports betting is becoming a problem among golf fans and contributing to personal abuse hurled at players, says Matt Fitzpatrick.
The 2022 US Open champion was part of the European side that was barracked by hostile US fans at Bethpage Black last September in the Ryder Cup.
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England’s Fitzpatrick was also subjected to pantomime boos from the partisan fans when he lost out to Cameron Young at the PGA Tour’s flagship Players Championship in March.
“I would say every golfer that’s played a professional tournament has had a message of abuse from someone that is related to gambling,” said Fitzpatrick.
“You go and type in a player’s name who maybe isn’t playing well, maybe someone who’s favoured to play well, you type the name into Twitter [now known as X] and you’ll just see their name followed by abuse after abuse after abuse.
“For me, it’s definitely becoming a problem and the issue is, particularly in golf, it would be very easy to influence a bet, whether it’s shouting on someone’s backswing, shouting on a putting stroke.
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“It’s really easy. Obviously that is really hard to monitor, but it is definitely an issue.”
With fans at this week’s 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale being asked to abide by a new code of conduct brought in by the R&A, local favourite Tommy Fleetwood stressed that striking the right balance is key to delivering the best possible feeling around the course.
“The crowds are a huge part of golf, and it’s it’s difficult to ask everyone to behave in a manner that you would want them to behave in while wanting the atmosphere to be as big as possible and as good as possible,” he said.
“I’ve always felt like atmospheres have been great. I’ve had support on my side 99% of the time, but I’ve also had it against me the odd time.
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“Sometimes those have been my most enjoyable atmospheres when the crowd are that little bit against you and gives you that little bit extra.”
Recently the US Open, like the Ryder Cup also held on New York’s Long Island, was affected by boorish behaviour as galleries targeted eventual champion Wyndham Clark.
With more than 300,000 spectators – an Open record – expected in Southport during this week’s Championship, the R&A has now published ‘The Open Commitment’, amid growing concerns over the general behaviour of golf fans.
That pledge “encourages everyone attending to play their part in protecting traditions”.
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To avoid further unsavoury scenes, on-course signs will tell fans to respect the players, respect the links, respect each other, be aware and enjoy responsibly.
Those who make serious or repeated breaches of that code of conduct may be removed from the grounds without refund.
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