Golfer Matt Gogel has been suspended by the PGA Tour for violating its integrity program, the organization announced on Wednesday.
Gogel, 55, was handed a six-month ban from any PGA Tour-sanctioned event after being found to have gambled on tournaments.
While the professional did not place bets on any event he was competing in, the gambling on PGA Tour competitions violates the Tour’s policy.
Gogel competes on the PGA Tour Champions, the PGA Tour-sanctioned senior tour open to golfers age 50 and over.
He will now be unable to compete in any tournament sanctioned by the PGA Tour until February 22, 2027.
Gogel, who said he ‘unknowingly’ violated Tour policy with his gambling, cooperated fully throughout the process, the PGA Tour stated.
Golfer Matt Gogel has been suspended by the PGA Tour for violating its integrity program
The 55-year-old was handed a six-month ban from any PGA Tour-sanctioned event
‘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 has competed in 18 events on the Champions Tour in 2026, earning prize money of more than $760,000.
He currently stands 20th in the Tour’s season-long Charles Schwab Cup points race, which culminates with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on November 12-15.
His ban came into effect on Sunday, the day on which Gogel finished tied 30th in the Rogers Charity Classic on the senior circuit.
The player was found to have placed bets on PGA Tour-sanctioned tournaments
The PGA Tour Integrity Program prohibits wagering on any Tour-sanctioned event around the world by members, but also by anyone in their immediate circle who receives credentials to tournaments, including family, caddies and agents.
‘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’),’ the tour’s rules state.
The manual defines ‘betting’ as ‘(A) placing any money or other thing of value on the occurrence of an uncertain outcome with the expectation of return or (B) participating in any fantasy or other game that awards a prize of value, including any free-to-play, paid or daily fantasy game, unless expressly approved by the PGA TOUR.’
Penalties range from mandatory education to fines up to $500,000, suspension to lifetime bans.
