​Tommy Fleetwood is chasing his first major triumph this week, hoping to accomplish it in his hometown at Royal Birkdale. He would relish winning the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, with the entire nation backing him as the tournament unfolds.
There are, however, clear concerns over some fans treating Fleetwood’s opponents poorly. A new code of conduct has been introduced for this week after troubling scenes at the US Open last month. Wyndham Clark faced a torrent of abuse at Shinnecock Hills, and Jordan Spieth has suggested that betting on golf has played a role in deteriorating fan behavior at tournaments. With the Open Championship now underway, Fleetwood has weighed in on the issue.
Two weeks ago, Spieth argued that the PGA Tour must curb betting in golf. “I think you had some unique circumstances there. I don’t know. I mean, one thing I’ll point out is that betting in golf is something that’s going to have to be tackled soon,” he said. “I’m not sure how much of the Wyndham scenario was the fact that people could bet on the field versus Wyndham on Sunday in a legalized betting state. People could have as much as $100 to $10,000 riding on the field versus someone else. In golf, it’s tricky because you could actually influence an outcome if you wanted to. It may not last very long, but you could affect a shot if you wanted to. I don’t know of another sport where fans can influence the game the way you can in golf.”
Fleetwood was asked for his view on Spieth’s point. “Yeah, it’s a good point. It’s a fair point,” he replied. He added that, in his experience, he hasn’t noticed betting having a direct impact on crowds’ behavior. “I don’t think it’s ever really been my experience. You’re probably aware of people who are betting, and you might hear someone tell you a putt breaks right to left instead of left to right, but you should be able to figure that out on your own.”
Fleetwood acknowledged the complexity of the issue. “It’s a really tricky one. Crowds are a huge part of golf, and it’s difficult to ask everyone to conduct themselves exactly as you’d want while still preserving the big, vibrant atmosphere that makes the sport so enjoyable. That balance is always challenging. Again, I’ve generally been lucky with how I’ve been treated by fans, and I know that not everyone shares the same experiences or opinions. It’s easy to offer a viewpoint without walking in someone else’s shoes.”
He recognized that betting is unlikely to disappear, and he stressed the importance of keeping crowds large and the competition lively. “Betting isn’t going away, and you don’t want the crowds to shrink,” he said. “It’s tough to change people’s behavior, but the goal should be to maintain the excitement and engagement that make golf tournaments special, while ensuring the atmosphere remains welcoming and respectful.”