'Has to be tackled' - Jordan Spieth calls out major problem harming the integrity of golf

Jordan Spieth has warned that betting could be a key reason behind recent negative fan behaviour in the sport.

There have been several nasty altercations between spectators and players in recent months, most recently towards Wyndham Clark at the US Open, where a hostile crowd openly rooted against him and cheered his every mistake.

The 32-year-old later admitted some of the hostility was deserved due to his past antics, such as when he smashed up a locker-room, and several spectators were removed from the course after directing abusive comments at him.

Fan behaviour was also a huge issue at the Ryder Cup last year, with extra security brought in to control some sections of a partisan home crowd who crossed the line with vulgar and offensive abuse towards the players.

While this behaviour is not a new phenomenon in golf, it certainly appears to be happening more regularly. There are not many other sports where spectators are allowed to be so close to athletes, and Spieth is concerned that betting could be part of the problem.

The former world number one also pointed out that spectators could potentially bet on the outcome of a hole and then attempt to influence the outcome by intimidating players.

'I'm trying to single them out' - Spieth raises major golf issue

"I think the one thing that I'll point out is I do think that betting in golf is something that's going to have to be tackled here soon, because I don't know how much of, say, the Wyndham scenario was the fact that it was enticing to bet the field versus Wyndham on Sunday in a legalised betting state," Spieth told a press conference on Tuesday.

"And you could have had people out there that are essentially, you know, have $100 to $10,000, depending on who it is, on the field versus somebody else.

"In golf it's tricky because you could actually impact the outcome if you wanted to. It may not last very long, but you could impact a shot if you wanted to.

"I don't know of another sport that you could impact as a fan like you can golf. So I don't know how much that's having to do with it, if it's different than it used to be.

"I've also played rounds with guys who were not treated well 10, 15 years ago. I don't think it's a crazy new thing," he continued.

"I do think the Bethpage Ryder Cup was, from what I understand, maybe a lingering effect from that with an American versus European. You know, Cam Young, Fitzpatrick, The Players. I'm trying to single them out for you, but I wasn't a part of either one of them, but I will say that from what I've seen, a lot of times it has to do with betting, and that is in the last five years.

"We'll see what happens with that."