Golf professional Jordan Spieth expressed a desire for sports fan behavior to revert to previous norms. This comes in the wake of recent occurrences at events like the U.S. Open, where golfer Wyndham Clark experienced unusual treatment. Spieth attributes this change largely to the rise of sports betting.
Speaking at the John Deere Classic, Spieth highlighted concerns about golf fans becoming more unruly. He noted, “I do think that betting in golf is something that’s going to have to be tackled here soon.” The impact of betting, according to Spieth, goes beyond usual spectatorship.
He elaborated on the issue, suggesting that in legalized betting states, audiences might gamble heavily on golf events. This can lead to fans potentially affecting a game’s outcome due to personal stakes. “In golf it’s tricky because you could actually impact the outcome if you wanted to,” Spieth explained. He finds golf unique in how fans can directly affect the play.
The commentary follows events at Shinnecock Hills where Clark faced heckling, intensifying discussions around fan behavior. Such occurrences have raised questions about Long Island hosting future major golf events, with Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch commenting on the fan disruptions.
Since 2018, 39 states have legalized sports betting. Among these, 32 states, Illinois included, permit online betting. Spieth acknowledged this transformation in the sports landscape, which has escalated in recent years.
The evolution of fans’ conduct is not entirely new. Spieth remarked that much of today’s negative behavior stems from betting, which has become prominent in the last five years. Despite these dynamics, he indicated betting continues to reshape fan interactions in the sport.
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