The PGA announced the suspension of PGA Tour Champions member Matt Gogel Wednesday for placing bets on golf events, though he did not bet on any tournaments that he was playing in.
Gogel’s suspension began Aug. 23 and runs through Feb. 22.
“In 2024 and 2025, I unknowingly violated the PGA TOUR policy by placing small recreational wagers on golf,” Gogel said in a statement. “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.”
Gogel, 55, has played in 92 Champions events for golfers over 50, making the cut in 89 of them for total winnings of over $2.6 million. Previous to his time on the Champions circuit, Gogel played on the PGA Tour, making 83 out of 179 cuts for total lifetime winnings of over $4.5 million.
Per the PGA’s “Integrity Program Manual,” betting anything, at any time, on any pro golf action is strictly prohibited.
“Any covered person, directly or indirectly, betting on the outcome or any other aspect of any PGA Tour event, any other professional golf competition or any elite amateur golf competition (including Olympic Golf) anywhere in the world (‘professional golf event’)” is in violation, according to the rules. “In this Manual, ‘betting’ means placing any money or other thing of value on the occurrence of an uncertain outcome with the expectation of return. For clarity, for purposes herein, ‘betting’ includes betting or trading on any platform that the Tour determines to mimic sports betting (e.g., prediction markets, futures contracts).”
Not the first
Gogel is the latest name in a string of betting cases that have hit pro sports since the 2018 repeal of PASPA.
The NBA has drawn the most attention. In October 2025, federal agents arrested player Terry Rozier and others on charges tied to fixing prop bets and rigging poker games.
In 2024, in what was the biggest case to hit at the time, the league banned Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for life after he admitted pulling himself out of games so “under” props would hit.
Baseball has not been immune, with Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz indicted in an alleged pitch-fixing scheme. Before that, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter was sentenced to prison for stealing from the star to pay off a bookie.
The NFL has dealt with its share of issues as well. It suspended receiver Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season for betting on games, including his own team, and early this year disciplined an Arizona Cardinals scouting director for allegedly leaking the team’s NFL Draft plans to bettors.
