PGA Tour winner issues statement after being handed six-month ban
PGA Tour winner Matt Gogel has been suspended for six months for betting on professional golf.
American golfer Matt Gogel has been banned for six months for gambling on golf, the PGA Tour has said.
The 55-year-old competes on the over-50s PGA Tour Champions circuit.
Gogel did not bet on any events which he was participating in but admitted to violating the PGA Tour's policy by placing small wagers in 2024 and 2025.
The amounts he wagered has not been disclosed. His suspension came into effect on 23 August and lasts until 22 February 2027.
A PGA Tour spokesperson confirmed Gogel "co-operated fully" with their investigation.
"I would never knowingly violate the integrity of the game of golf," Gogel said in a statement.
"I made an honest mistake and I look forward to playing in 2027 on the PGA Tour Champions."
Gogel earned his PGA Tour card in 2000.
His biggest achievement came two years later when he won his sole PGA Tour title at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
"In 2024 and 2025, I unknowingly violated the PGA Tour policy by placing small recreational wagers on golf.
"I want to be clear that these wagers were not placed on regular PGA Tour events, PGA Tour Champions events or any tournament in which I participated.
"I would never knowingly violate the integrity of the game of golf. I made an honest mistake and I look forward to playing in 2027 on the PGA Tour Champions." - Matt Gogel
He finished his PGA Tour career with one victory, one runner-up and one third-place finish, plus 16 top-10s in 179 official starts.
His best major performance was a tie for 12th at the 2001 U.S. Open.
Gogel lost his PGA Tour card in 2006 and moved into broadcasting.
He became an on-course reporter for Golf Channel and also worked for CBS Sports.
He returned to competition aged 50, joining the PGA Tour Champions in 2021.
Several professional golfers have been banned for gambling over the last few years.
England's Marco Penge was suspended by the DP World Tour for three months in 2024 for placing small "fun bets" on the majors, Ryder Cup and an exhibition match featuring Bryson DeChambeau.
Penge did not gamble on any tournaments of which he was a participant.
Jake Staiano and Vince India were also suspended by the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023.
India received a six-month suspension whilst Staiano was banned for three months.
Tags:
Ben Smith joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
