Matt Fitzpatrick Says Gambling-Related Fan Abuse Is Becoming a Serious Problem in Golf

English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick is sounding the alarm on a troubling trend sweeping professional golf: fans abusing players, both in person and online, because of lost bets.

Speaking ahead of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, Fitzpatrick described the behavior as “ridiculous” and warned it is “becoming a problem” that could start affecting tournament outcomes.

A Problem Golf Can No Longer Ignore

Fitzpatrick says gambling-related abuse is becoming a growing concern in professional golf. Speaking before The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, he said some fans are targeting players in person and online after losing bets.

Fitzpatrick called the behavior “ridiculous” and warned that it could eventually impact the way tournaments are played.

For years, golf avoided the type of fan abuse seen in other sports. But with sports betting becoming more popular, players are now facing more angry messages and comments from bettors.

As regulated sports betting has expanded across the United States, more fans are placing wagers on golf. When bets lose because of a missed putt or a poor round, some gamblers blame the players instead of accepting the result.

Fitzpatrick Has Experienced It Himself

Fitzpatrick said this is not just something he has heard about. He experienced it firsthand during The Players Championship in March.

He said fans openly cheered against him while supporting American Cameron Young. Young won the tournament, but Fitzpatrick bounced back a month later by defeating world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a playoff to win the RBC Heritage.

Fitzpatrick also spoke about the online abuse many athletes receive from bettors.

He explained that players often see messages blaming them for losing wagers, whether it is a missed penalty in football (soccer) or a missed birdie in golf. His point was simple: athletes should not be harassed because someone else’s bet did not win.

Golf Is Facing the Same Issue as Other Sports

Fitzpatrick believes golf is following the same path as soccer and tennis, where gambling-related abuse has already become a major concern.

Other golfers have raised similar concerns. Jordan Spieth has previously warned about the risks that come with increased betting on golf. Keegan Bradley also spoke about hearing negative comments from fans during the U.S. Open.

While some players see louder crowds as a sign that golf is growing in popularity, Fitzpatrick believes the abuse is a much bigger issue that should not be ignored.

Why The Open Championship Matters, and Will Golf Take Action?

The Open Championship attracts fans from around the world and creates a huge betting market for Open Championship odds. Royal Birkdale is known for its passionate crowds, making it one of the sport’s most exciting venues.

Fitzpatrick worries that if gambling-related abuse has already appeared at regular PGA Tour events, it could become even more noticeable during a major championship.

By speaking out before the tournament, he is making it clear that players no longer want to accept this behavior as part of the game.

Fitzpatrick’s comments also put pressure on golf’s governing bodies.

The PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and The R&A may now face calls to do more to protect players from abusive fans. Other sports have introduced fan behavior rules and promoted responsible gambling, but golf has been slower to address the issue.

With golf betting continuing to grow, many players believe action is needed before the problem gets worse. If incidents continue during The Open Championship, the sport may have little choice but to respond.