Matt Fitzpatrick: 'Gambling-related abuse is becoming a problem'

Matthew Fitzpatrick says he wants atmosphere and participating crowds but there is a line. Pic: George Walker IV/AP

Matt Fitzpatrick believes the growth of sports betting is negatively impacting crowd behaviour at leading golf tournaments.

The Yorkshireman has regularly been heckled at events in the United States, notably at the Ryder Cup last year and the Players Championship in March.

The partisan home support and the influence of alcohol have previously been the prime factors cited but Fitzpatrick has broadened the discussion, echoing recent comments by three-time major winner Jordan Spieth.

Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, said: “I’ve had my fair share. I would say every golfer that’s played a professional tournament has had a message of abuse from someone that is related to gambling.

“For me, it’s definitely becoming a problem. It would be very easy to influence a bet, whether it’s you’re shouting on someone’s backswing, shouting on a putting stroke. It’s really easy.

“Obviously that is really hard to monitor, but it is definitely an issue.” Fitzpatrick insists he does not necessarily have a problem with noisy crowds, but there has to be a limit.

He said: “I want an atmosphere at a golf tournament. I’ve said a million times, I love football, I love the atmosphere of a football match.

“Ryder Cup, playing away from home, succeeding in those atmospheres – there’s not a much better feeling. I’m all for an atmosphere, but obviously I don’t want it to cross a line.” 

Fitzpatrick, who was speaking at a press conference at Royal Birkdale ahead of this week’s Open, has largely withdrawn from social media because of abuse.

He said: “You go and type in a player’s name who maybe isn’t playing well or maybe someone who’s favoured to play well, and you’ll just see their name followed by abuse after abuse.

“I would say a lot of it comes down to the gambling. When you’re getting personally attacked, it’s just ridiculous.” Hometown favourite Tommy Fleetwood is hopeful the crowd will be respectful this week.

American winner Brian Harman was barracked the last time the Open was held on Merseyside at Royal Liverpool in 2023.

World number nine Fleetwood said: “I’ve had support on my side 99 per cent of the time, but I’ve also had it against me the odd time.

“Honestly, sometimes those have been my most enjoyable atmospheres, when the crowd are that little bit against you and it gives you that little bit extra.

“I’m sure everybody will be great this week. I think the Opens I’ve experienced in the north-west, the crowds have been amongst the best I’ve ever seen and the atmospheres have been great.” 

Fitzpatrick and Fleetwood will be joined in the field at the 154th Open by Sheffield’s Joe Dean, who shot a two-under-par 68 at Birkdale on Monday to win the inaugural “last chance” qualifier.

Dean, who has previously had to supplement his golf earnings by working as a supermarket delivery driver, beat 11 other players to secure the 156th and final place. He will play alongside Max Homa and Henrik Stenson in the first two rounds.

His next challenge is to find somewhere to stay for the rest of the week, with all nearby hotels booked up.

“I’ll sleep in the car if I have to,” he said.