Phil Mickelson bet more than $1 billion on sports over a 30-year period, according to legendary sports bettor Billy Walters.
Walters’ book, “The Gambler,” is set to be released Aug. 22 and is co-authored with longtime investigative journalist Armen Keteyian.
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The extent of Mickelson’s betting was covered in a book excerpt published on the golf site Fire Pit Collective.
Walters writes in the book that he had a betting partnership with Mickelson for several years, meaning that Walters would supply Mickelson with betting tips that the golf star, a notoriously unsuccessful gambler, would be able to place at high limits that a successful handicapper like Walters could never dream of.
Mickelson declined comment on the accusations Thursday while leaving Trump National Bedminster after an LIV Golf pro-am.
According to what Walters says are “detailed betting records and additional records provided by the sources”, between 2010-14 alone Mickelson bet $110,000 to win $100,000 over 1,110 times, and $220,000 to win $200,000 nearly 900 times.
In all, these bets alone totalled more than $300 million.
Meanwhile, just in 2011, Mickelson allegedly made more than 3,000 bets – an average of almost nine per day – and had one day in June of that year where he lost $143,500 after making 43 bets on baseball games.
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“Based on our relationship and what I’ve since learned from others, Phil’s gambling losses [between 2010 and 2014] approached not $40 million as has been previously reported, but much closer to $100 million,” Walters writes.
“In all, he wagered a total of more than $1 billion during the past three decades.”
Walters says he did not have an issue with the size of Mickelson’s wagers.
“As I said, Phil liked to gamble as much as anyone I’ve ever met,” Walters writes.
“Frankly, given Phil’s annual income and net worth at the time, I had no problems with his betting. And still don’t. He’s a big-time gambler and big-time gamblers make big bets. It’s his money to spend how he wants.”
Walters also alleges in the book that Mickelson requested for him to bet $400,000 on the golfer’s behalf on the U.S. Team in 2012, which Mickelson competed for as part of the Ryder Cup.
“I could not believe what I was hearing. ‘Have you lost your f—— mind?’ Walters remarked in the book.
‘Don’t you remember what happened to Pete Rose?’ [The former Cincinnati Reds manager was banned from baseball for betting on his own team.]
“‘You’re seen as a modern-day Arnold Palmer. You’d risk all that for this? I want no part of it.”
‘Alright, alright,’ he replied.”
Walters was unsure if Mickelson went through with the bet by using another gambling source.
Mickelson responded on Twitter on Friday denying any wrongdoing.
“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,” he posted.
“I have also been very open about my gambling addiction. I have previously conveyed my remorse, took responsibility, have gotten help, have been fully committed to therapy that has positively impacted me and I feel good about where I am now.
Rory McIlroy was asked about the allegation following his opening round of the FedEx St Jude Championship and couldn’t resist a swipe at Mickelson.
“At least he can bet on the Ryder Cup this year because he won’t be a part of it,” McIlroy said.
Walters was convicted in 2017 of insider trading relating to Dean Foods stock.
He has denied wrongdoing, and maintained in the book that if Mickelson told the “simple truth” about the trades he would have been cleared.
Walters was granted clemency on the final day of Donald Trump’s presidency.
This past June, Mickelson claimed he has not gambled “in years” and his net worth is approaching $1 billion.
This story originally appeared on the New York Post and has been reposted with permission
Source: foxsports.com.au
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
