Excerpt from Walters' book that details the extent of Phil's gambling habit, including an attempt at betting on the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medina where he was participating.
https://firepitcollective.com/billy-walters-inside-phil-mickelsons-gambling-escapades/
https://firepitcollective.com/billy-walters-inside-phil-mickelsons-gambling-escapades/
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Based on our relationship and what I've since learned from others, Phil's gambling losses approached not $40 million as has been previously reported, but much closer to $100 million. In all, he wagered a total of more than $1 billion during the past three decades.
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In late September 2012, Phil called me from Medinah Country Club just outside Chicago, site of the 39th Ryder Cup matches between the United States and Europe. He was feeling supremely confident that the American squad led by Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, and Phil himself was about to reclaim the Cup from the Euros. He was so confident that he asked me to place a $400,000 wager for him on the U.S. team to win.
I could not believe what I was hearing.
"Have you lost your ****ing mind?" 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 own team. "You're seen as a modern-day Arnold Palmer," I added. "You'd risk all that for this? I want no part of it.''
"Alright, alright," he replied.
I have no idea whether Phil placed the bet elsewhere. Hopefully, he came to his senses, especially considering the "Miracle at Medinah." Trailing 10-6 going into the final day of singles matches, the Europeans pulled off the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history. They won eight matches and tied one to beat the Americans by a single point, 14 to 13.
Phil's loss to Justin Rose that Sunday contributed to the stunning defeat.