Jordan Spieth Calls for Change in Golf Fandom

Jordan Spieth has expressed a desire for a return to more traditional sports fandom. Ahead of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Illinois, he addressed concerns about increasingly rowdy crowds in golf. This comes after Wyndham Clark faced intense treatment at the U.S. Open. Spieth attributes much of this change to the influence of gambling in golf.

Spieth stated, “I do think that betting in golf is something that’s going to have to be tackled here soon.”

During an event at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona, Spieth elaborated on this issue. He mentioned that legalized betting might incentivize fans to bet on outcomes, impacting player performance. According to Spieth, fans betting on the field against a particular player in a legalized betting state, such as Illinois, might have stakes ranging from $100 to $10,000, potentially affecting their behavior during matches.

He highlighted the uniqueness of golf, where fans could potentially impact outcomes directly. Spieth expressed uncertainty about whether this behavior differs significantly from the past. Once an ambassador for FanDuel, Spieth brings a unique perspective to the conversation.

The treatment faced by Clark occurred at Shinnecock Hills, near Bethpage Black. This area has sparked controversy over fan conduct during events like the Ryder Cup. Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch criticized Long Island fans, suggesting they are detrimental to the sport.

Since 2018, sports gambling has become legal in 39 states, with only Nevada previously permitting it. Online betting is available in 32 of these states, including Illinois.