Portugal Colonial - Fitzpatrick blames betting for golf fans' bad behaviour

Golf has long prided itself on the sportsmanship of its players and fans.

But 2022 US Open winner Fitzpatrick has been heckled repeatedly at events in the United States, notably last year's Ryder Cup and the Players Championship in March.

While partisan home support and the influence of alcohol have been cited as key causes for the abuse, Fitzpatrick said the issue of betting had to be considered as well, echoing recent comments by three-time major winner Jordan Spieth.

"I've had my fair share (of abuse)," Fitzpatrick told reporters ahead of this week's British Open at Royal Birkdale, near Liverpool.

"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," the 31-year-old Englishman added.

Fitzpatrick accepts noisy crowds are now a part of modern golf but insisted there had to be limits on how spectators behaved themselves on the course.

"I want an atmosphere at a golf tournament," he explained. "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."

A.Seabra--PC