Phil Mickelson’s billion dollar wagers: Explosive allegations include $100 million in lost bets | Golf News – Times of India

Phil Mickelson can’t catch a break. The veteran golfer, who’s got a lot of backlash over the past year finds himself in the eye of yet another storm. Unlike the last few times when Mickelson has been criticised for disparaging both—the PGA and LIV Golf Tours—and subsequently signing up for the latter, this time, the damage has been done by revelations from an upcoming book penned by former associate and golfing buddy Billy Walters.
77-year-old Walters, who is a well-known figure in professional betting circles, was convicted of insider trading and has spent five years in prison. In his book, ‘Gambling: Secrets from a life of risk,’ Walter alleges that Mickelson has lost over $100 million in bad debts and wagered close to one billion dollars in his betting career.
Mickelson’s gambling problem is well known—the golfer has been candid about issues with his addiction—but what’s really making news is one specific bet, that Walter alleges, Mickelson wanted to make on the 2012 Ryder Cup—an event in which Mickelson was a competitor for the United States.

Mickelson recently released a statement to Golf Digest magazine regarding some of Walters’ allegations: “I never bet on the Ryder Cup. While it is well known that I always enjoy a friendly wager on the course, I would never undermine the integrity of the game.”
In his book Walter alleges that he refused to entertain the bet and has no idea if Mickelson placed the bet elsewhere. Avid golf fans will recall the 2012 Ryder Cup’s final day, now dubbed the ‘Miracle at Medinah.’ That’s the year the European squad pulled off a spectacular victory by winning eight matches and beating the Americans by a solitary point. And it was Mickelson’s shock defeat to Justin Rose that contributed in no small way to that result.