Professional gambler Billy Walters claimed in a book set to release this month that golfer Phil Mickelson considered placing a $400,000 bet on the 2012 Ryder Cup, a tournament in which he was participating. Walters, who had a gambling partnership with Mickelson for five years, alleges that Mickelson made over 7,000 wagers on football, basketball, and baseball between 2010 and 2014. The book also suggests that Mickelson’s gambling losses may be closer to $100 million, rather than the previously reported $40 million. However, CNN has not been able to independently verify these claims.
Mickelson responded to the allegations on social media, denying that he bet on the Ryder Cup and emphasizing that he would never undermine the integrity of the game. He also acknowledged his past struggles with gambling addiction, expressing remorse and stating that he has sought help and is now in a better place.
One of the more surprising claims in the book is that Mickelson asked Walters to bet on the US team to win the Ryder Cup in 2012, but Walters refused. Mickelson has not confirmed if he actually placed that bet. Europe ended up winning the tournament.
The PGA Tour declined to comment on the matter, and CNN has reached out to Mickelson’s representatives for further comment. Mickelson’s gambling history has been well-documented, and he has openly discussed his struggles with sports gambling in the past.
Walters, known as the “most dangerous sports bettor in Nevada,” was convicted of insider trading charges in 2017 but had his sentence commuted by former President Donald Trump in 2021. In the book, Walters suggests that Mickelson played a role in his prison sentence by refusing to publicly acknowledge that Walters had inside information about stocks.
Mickelson’s involvement in the controversial LIV Golf, a lucrative golf tour backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has also drawn criticism. In a 2021 interview, Mickelson expressed interest in joining the proposed Super League, citing it as an opportunity to reshape the PGA Tour. He also made disparaging comments about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and its alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The partnership between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf sparked outrage among groups representing 9/11 attack survivors and families, due to the longstanding dispute over Saudi government complicity in the attacks.
Despite the controversies surrounding Mickelson, he remains one of the most successful and popular golfers, with six major victories to his name.
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