Phil Mickelson wanted to bet money on the US victory in the Ryder Cup in Medina. Credit: Getty Images/Ross Kinnaird
Phil Mickelson has wagered $1bn (£785m) on sporting events, according to the forthcoming autobiography of one of America's most famous players. However, Mickelson denies that he tried to bet $400,000 on the result of the Ryder Cup.
Las Vegas legend Billy Walters makes sensational claims in the book Gambler, Secrets of Life in Danger, published later this month. Mickelson admitted last year that his gambling had become «reckless» and «embarrassing» after another revelation estimated his losses at $40 million, but Walters' long-awaited bill takes the deficit to new heights.
In a statement last night, Mickelson said: “I have never bet on the Ryder Cup. While it is well known that I always enjoy making friendly bets on the field, I will never undermine the integrity of the game. I have also been very open about my gambling addiction. I have previously expressed my remorse, taken responsibility, received help, committed myself fully to therapy which has had a positive effect on me and I feel good where I am now.”
The 77-year-old befriended the six-time tournament winner in 2006 and claims he and Mickelson will bet together. Walters also claims that the left-hander frequently bet at least $100,000 on individual football, baseball, and basketball games and lost about $100 million in total between 2010 and 2014.
But most surprising is Walters' excerpts published by the Fire Pit Collective about the Ryder Cup in 2012. “Phil called me from the Medina Country Club near Chicago where the 39th Ryder Cup was being played…He was absolutely certain that the American team, led by Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson and Phil himself, was about to take the Cup back from the Euro,” — it says. “He was so sure of himself that he asked me to bet $400,000 on his US win.
I have never bet on the Ryder Cup. While it is well known that I always enjoy making friendly bets on the field, I will never undermine the integrity of the game.
I have also been very open about my gambling addiction. Earlier, I expressed my remorse, took responsibility, …
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 10, 2023
«I couldn't believe what I was hearing. «You are crazy?» I told him. «Don't you remember what happened to Pete Rose?» [The former Cincinnati Reds manager was banned from baseball for betting on his team.]
“They see you as the modern-day Arnold Palmer,” I added. Would you risk it all for this? I don't want to be involved in this.» “Good, good,” he replied.
Europe, of course, won that match thanks to the famous fight in which Mickelson lost singles to Englishman Justin Rose.
In April 2017, Walters was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of insider trading. Mickelson was also referred to during the trial as «someone who traded Dean Foods stock and once owed almost $2 million in gambling» to Walters. Mickelson “made about $1 million trading Dean Foods stock; he agreed to forfeit that profit.» In a related civil case filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Telegraph Sport contacted Mickelson's agent and management company for comment. The 53-year-old, who signed to the breakaway LIV Golf League last year with a reported buy-in in excess of $100 million, revealed in a recent interview that he has «fixed [his gambling] problem for a number of years.» years… and hundreds of hours of therapy. I feel good where I am.”
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