Matt Fitzpatrick warns sports gambling is becoming a serious problem in golf

Matt Fitzpatrick believes sports gambling is becoming an increasingly serious issue in professional golf after revealing players are routinely targeted with online abuse by disgruntled bettors.

The Englishman, who heads into this week's 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale as arguably the hottest player in the field, said abuse from gamblers has become commonplace on the professional tours and fears the problem could eventually impact competition itself.

Fitzpatrick arrives at The Open in outstanding form. The former U.S. Open champion has collected three PGA Tour victories this season — more than any other player — and followed that up with a tie for third at last week's Genesis Scottish Open.

He also arrives at The Open off the back of three top-four finishes in his last four starts. 

Ironically, despite voicing concerns over the growing influence of sports betting in golf, Fitzpatrick has become one of the leading fancies for this week's Open Championship. 

The in-form Englishman is one of GolfMagic's expert selections to win the Claret Jug at best odds 16/1, with his consistency and confidence making him one of the standout contenders at Royal Birkdale.

Despite his impressive run, it was concerns surrounding gambling and fan behaviour that dominated his pre-tournament press conference on Monday. 

"I would say every golfer who's played professional golf has received abusive messages from someone because of gambling," Fitzpatrick told reporters. 

"If you search the name of a player who's struggling for form or someone people expected to do well, you'll often find message after message of abuse from people who have lost money.

"For me, it's definitely becoming a problem."

Fitzpatrick believes golf is particularly exposed because spectators have such close access to players during competition.

Unlike many other sports, he warned that a single shout during a player's backswing or while they're attempting a crucial putt could influence the outcome of a hole — and potentially a betting market.

"In golf, it would be very easy to influence a bet," he added.

"Whether it's shouting during someone's backswing or as they're standing over a putt, it's something that's very difficult to monitor. That's why it's a genuine concern."

His comments come as golf continues to wrestle with fan behaviour at some of its biggest events.

The European Ryder Cup team endured a hostile atmosphere at Bethpage Black last September, especially Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica, while Fitzpatrick himself received jeers from partisan American crowds during his defeat to Cameron Young at The Players Championship earlier this season.

The issue has also extended beyond team golf. At last month's U.S. Open, eventual champion Wyndham Clark, who won the title for a second time, was subjected to repeated heckling from sections of the gallery throughout the championship.

In response to growing concerns, the R&A has introduced a new spectator code of conduct for this week's Open Championship.

Branded as The Open Commitment, the initiative encourages fans to respect players, fellow spectators and the course, while reminding them to enjoy the championship responsibly.

Spectators who repeatedly breach the code or behave in an unacceptable manner risk being removed from the course without a refund.

Sir Nick Faldo believes the punishment should be even stricter, suggesting fines of up to $5,000 would stop unruly behaviour and verbal abuse once and for all. 

Local favourite Tommy Fleetwood backed the initiative on Monday, but admitted tournament organisers must strike a careful balance between creating a lively atmosphere and ensuring players are respected.

"The crowds are a huge part of golf," said Fleetwood, who is playing on home Birkdale soil this week. 

"You want the atmosphere to be as good as possible, but at the same time you want people to behave appropriately.

"I've been fortunate enough to have the crowd behind me most of the time, although I've also experienced them being against me. Sometimes those are actually some of the most enjoyable atmospheres because they give you that extra edge."

With more than 300,000 spectators expected to attend Royal Birkdale over the course of the championship, The Open is set to break attendance records.

As betting continues to grow across professional sport, Fitzpatrick hopes the spotlight this week remains on the golf itself rather than the actions of a small minority of spectators whose wagers can quickly spill over into abuse.