Jordan Spieth on Impact of Sports Gambling on Golf

Jordan Spieth expressed his concerns about the changing nature of sports fandom, particularly in golf, emphasizing a desire for a return to earlier times. Ahead of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Illinois, Spieth commented on the rowdy behavior of golf crowds by linking it to gambling.

Spieth attributed recent crowd behavior to the influence of betting, particularly in the wake of Wyndham Clark’s experience at the U.S. Open. He pointed out the potential impact of gambling on the sport without any prompt. He stated, “I do think that betting in golf is something that’s going to have to be tackled here soon.”

Spieth further explained, “I don’t know how much of, say, the Wyndham scenario was the fact that it was enticing to bet the field versus Wyndham on Sunday in a legalized betting state. You could have had people wagering from $100 to $10,000 on the field versus another player.”

The nature of golf allows fans the ability to influence game outcomes more directly, compared to other sports. Spieth reflected on the uniqueness of golf, saying, “In golf, it’s tricky because you could actually impact the outcome if you wanted to. It may not last very long, but you could impact a shot.”

Spieth continued, discussing the persistence of fan vitriol, clarifying that although not entirely new, most recent incidents are gambling-related.

Spieth’s comments arise following an incident with Clark at Shinnecock Hills in the Hamptons. This behavior led to criticism from Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch, who advised against major events on Long Island due to the fan behavior there.

Since 2018, sports gambling has been legalized in 39 states, with Nevada being the first. Currently, 32 states, including Illinois, permit online betting.

Jordan Spieth’s insights highlight the evolving landscape of sports and the significant role betting plays within it.