Scottie Scheffler Shuts Down Venmo Account Following Harassment

OWGR No. 1 golfer Scott Scheffler revealed that increasing harassment by sports bettors has led him to close his Venmo account. Speaking with The Athletic in anticipation of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, Scheffler revealed he was uncomfortable with the increased personal interaction with fans, such as those trying to pay a score or recover a loss based on gambling outcomes.

Scheffler stated that the digital payments system had become a vehicle for unwanted messages from bettors. He acknowledged that some fans had sent money as thanks for helping them win a bet, but Scheffler asserted that the bulk of his encounters were unwanted pay-up requests after a loss.

Venmo, by PayPal, is a mobile payment system that allows users to send or request money using a username or contact information. It is meant for simple personal payments, but it can also make payments publicly accessible as long as the privacy control is not modified.

For Scheffler, whose account and name had become public information, the site was another venue for gambling-themed fan interaction, much of it invasive and inappropriate.

The golfer wasn't in a position to identify a specific instance of being asked for lots of money, guessing he had been asked for a few dollars at a time. But the sheer volume of repeated money requests and betting propositions led the golfer to leave the site altogether.

Despite the off-course distractions, Scheffler is the betting favorite for the 2025 U.S. Open, with sportsbook operator BetMGM listing him at +275. 

Similar incidents

Scheffler’s incident is among the increasing number of professional players approached directly by sports gamblers. Gamblers increasingly use the internet and social media to text message or even harass players after matches, particularly when results matter for betting purposes.

In Houston, Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. last month was the subject of death threats on the net from a bettor who eventually confessed to being drunk and upset over losing a wager. The police became involved in the case, locating and confronting the individual.

Meanwhile, competitive runner Gabby Thomas reported being verbally harassed by a bettor at a Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia. FanDuel countered by blacklisting the individual after he posted on social media that he had harassed her.

The abuse seen at the pro level differs from recent results in college athletics, which previously witnessed a surge in player bullying. Although college players had long been perceived as particularly vulnerable to betting exploitation, there are recent signs that, at least at that level, things are improving.

In a report this week, the NCAA stated that internet gambling abuse decreased 23% at the 2025 March Madness tournaments, down from last year. NCAA officials say this is a positive sign, but also note that continued vigilance and enforcement remain essential.