The R&A has brought out new behavioural guidelines for the crowd at the 154th Open in light of a recent rise in heckling. Speaking on the issue, Rory McIlroy believed gambling to be a huge factor in misconduct.

Sports betting has been on the rise, especially in the US. The Irishman pointed out that the crowds have often tried their utmost to influence events.

“But certainly it's a thing that we've definitely talked about when I was on the board of the PGA TOUR, on the PAC, like whenever gambling or sports betting in the United States was coming into golf in a big way, it was something we talked about and how do we place it to make sure the integrity of the competition isn't jeopardized by letting this stuff happen,” said McIlroy.

As a result of sports betting, fans have gotten more involved with the game.

At last month’s U.S. Open, the Shinnecock crowd heavily backed fan-favorite Scottie Scheffler to complete his Career Grand Slam. On the other hand, eventual winner Wyndham Clark faced the brunt of the hostile crowd.

“Obviously it's a newer thing in the United States. Yeah, you could see how people that have a bet could -- you know, it's a very easy game to influence. The crowd aren't far away from you,” added McIlroy in an interview, accessed by ASAP Sports.

As recently as 2018, sports betting was made legal in the US. As a result, there has been a recent rise in inappropriate crowd behavior at US events.

Along with the Irishman, his wife and daughter faced derogatory comments at Bethpage Black during last year's Ryder Cup. The US crowd had done their best to bring down Team Europe.

'The Open Commitment' will make sure that situations like this never arise.

Interestingly, McIlroy also revealed that legacy meant nothing to him.

Rory McIlroy on his legacy

Rory McIlroy has become the symbol of longevity on the PGA Tour. He has left a huge legacy in the game already. However, that makes little to no difference for the Irishman.

“I don’t really care. I would like to think that the people that love and care about me think a certain way of me, but yeah, I’ll be long gone. I’ll be dead,” said McIlroy at the Open’s pre-tournament news conference, shown in a video posted by Golf Digest on X.

Having completed his Career Grand Slam last year at Augusta, McIlroy arguably wrote his name among the greats. 

In recent years, the Irishman has also reduced his playing schedule to only majors and a few signature events to possibly enhance his legacy at this point in his career.

However, the World No. 2 made it clear that he doesn’t bother much about what he’ll leave behind.

Do you think sports betting is a factor in inappropriate crowd behavior? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason