Phil Mickelson wagered over $1 billion, tried to bet on Ryder Cup, book alleges.

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Phil Mickelson bet more than $1 billion on football, basketball and baseball over the past three decades and even allegedly attempted to place a $400,000 wager on Team USA in the 2012 Ryder Cup in which he participated, according to an upcoming book by renowned professional gambler Billy Walters.
Excerpts of the book "Gambler: Secrets from a Life of Risk" were first reported Thursday by Fire Pit Collective and provide the most detailed look yet at Mickelson's sports gambling and his relationship with Walters, a Las Vegas businessman who is widely considered to be the most successful American bettor ever.
Citing betting records and "two very reliable sources," Walters writes that from 2010 to 2014, Mickelson made 858 bets of $220,000 and 1,115 bets of $110,000. He estimates Mickelson endured losses of approximately $100 million while betting more than $1 billion over the past three decades.
"The only other person I know who surpassed that kind of volume is me," Walters writes.
According to the book excerpts, in September 2012, Mickelson called Walters from Medinah Country Club during the 39th Ryder Cup and asked Walters to place a $400,000 wager for him on the U.S. team to win.
Walters responded by scolding Mickelson: "Have you lost your %&*$ing mind? Don't you remember what happened to Pete Rose? You're seen as the modern-day Arnold Palmer. You'd risk all that for this? I want no part of it."
Walters added that he didn't know whether Mickelson placed the bet elsewhere. The Americans lost the Ryder Cup to the Europeans by one point.
ESPN has reached out to Mickelson for comment.
Mickelson's affinity and struggles with sports gambling have long been in the public domain. In 2015, court documents in a money laundering case revealed that nearly $3 million was transferred from Mickelson to an intermediary of "an illegal gambling operation." In 2021, The Detroit News revealed that Mickelson had been linked in court documents to an alleged mob bookie in a 2007 trial.
Mickelson was not charged in either case, but stories of his gambling have surfaced throughout his golf career, in which he has made more than $96.6 million in PGA Tour on-course earnings. The six-time major champion also reportedly signed a multiyear contract with LIV Golf worth about $200 million.
In June 2022, he told Sports Illustrated that his gambling became "reckless," "embarrassing" and an "addiction." Two months ago, while responding to a question on social media about his gambling addiction, Mickelson said, "Haven't gambled in years. Almost a billionaire now. Thanks for asking."
Walters wrote: "Phil liked to gamble as much as anyone I've ever met. 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."
According to the book excerpts, Mickelson met Walters at the 2006 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The two formed a betting partnership in 2008, which gave Walters access to offshore sportsbook accounts that Mickelson used to place big wagers. Because of Walters' betting success, bookmakers often refuse to take his action or limit the amount he can wager, so he partners with bettors who are offered larger limits.
"In all the decades I've worked with partners and beards, Phil had accounts as large as anyone I'd seen," Walters writes. "You don't get those accounts without betting millions of dollars."
Walters and Mickelson stopped their betting partnership in spring 2014, when it was revealed that federal authorities were looking into a series of stock trades they each had made. They had a falling-out after Mickelson refused to testify in an ensuing insider trading case against Walters. In April 2017, Walters was convicted on charges of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud and was sentenced to five years in federal prison. His sentence was eventually commuted by then-President Donald Trump.
"Phil Mickelson, one of the most famous people in the world and a man I once considered a friend, refused to tell a simple truth that he shared with the FBI and could have kept me out of prison," Walters writes. "I never told him I had inside information about stocks and he knows it. All Phil had to do was publicly say it. He refused."
 

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Wow, that's a lot of money. Did they also mention how much he won?
 

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Thanks. Phil for being a major factor in opening the floodgates for the Saudi's to take over pro golf.
 

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Insider trading! Stocks and Gambling are one and the same. What was Phil's truth he didn't tell to save the guy from 5 years? Who wouldn't do the time in a country club prison with smoking allowed and 24 Internet... with a account with Fan Duel... LoL
 

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Did Phil make bet on other side here? Wonder what he shot the final day with the lead... ?

Walters said he had no idea if Mickelson may have made the bet elsewhere. The U.S. lost that Ryder Cup, 14.5-13.5 when Europe made a furious final-day comeback in singles matches, erasing a four-point deficit.

Europe's match wins that day included Justin Rose defeating Mickelson.

Phil wins and it's a tie....
 
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"Phil Mickelson, one of the most famous people in the world and a man I once considered a friend, refused to tell a simple truth that he shared with the FBI and could have kept me out of prison," Walters writes. "I never told him I had inside information about stocks and he knows it. All Phil had to do was publicly say it. He refused."
That's cold blooded!

BLB
 

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Okay thanks now I see the truth that maybe could've saved him 5 years.. ?

On flip side maybe it saved him his life. Too much behind the scenes stuff we'll never hear
 

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Saudis aren't going to take over shit.
Yes they will, though the deal isn’t final and the details are what matters.
Saudis have $800B, PGA has $3B. It will not be immediate but in a hostile takeover like this, what I say is inevitable.
Hopefully Congress will block it.
 

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Yes they will, though the deal isn’t final and the details are what matters.
Saudis have $800B, PGA has $3B. It will not be immediate but in a hostile takeover like this, what I say is inevitable.
Hopefully Congress will block it.
don't wager on this happening bro..
 

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The appeal of betting when you have that much money is lost on me.
I know the more you have the more you have to wager to make it worth while except for the fact that winning means little when you already have so much.
Must be a real adrenaline junkie.
 

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This mind would like to know how much and who he wagered on in this Cup they lost, if anything...LOL!

Ryder Cup: Justin Rose comeback stuns fan-favourite Phil Mickelson at Medinah
Justin Rose won the final two holes to snatch a stunning victory over Phil Mickelson on a thrilling Ryder Cup Sunday

probably Phil got his biggest payday when signing with LIV tour…
 

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Saudis have $800B in their budget specifically for sports takeovers.

Do you think they’re just fucking around?
no they probably gave Phil 1/2 of that $800 Billion…
 

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Rory was asked… his thoughts on Phil

“At least he can bet on the Ryder Cup this year,” ”because he won’t be a part of it.”

I think Phil got $200M, they bought off a big name for impact.

I heard they offered Tiger a lot more, to his credit, he declined.
Tiger only gambled on his women… LoL
 

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Rory was asked… his thoughts on Phil

“At least he can bet on the Ryder Cup this year,” ”because he won’t be a part of it.”


Tiger only gambled on his women… LoL
doubt Rory will be playing in it either at age 52
 

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