Over the Course of Decades, Golf Legend Phil Mickelson Gambled Excess of $1 Billion

According to Billy Walters, a former friend of golf superstar Phil Mickelson, Mickelson placed bets totaling over $1 billion over three decades and experienced gambling losses of nearly $100 million. Walters reveals these details in his new book, “Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk,” in which he describes a five-year sports gambling partnership with Mickelson.

One notable incident mentioned in the book occurred in September 2012 when Mickelson asked Walters to place a $400,000 bet on him and the rest of the U.S. Ryder Cup team to win the competition at the Medinah Country Club. Walters recalls expressing disbelief at the request, comparing the potential consequences to those faced by Pete Rose, who was banned from baseball for life due to his betting activities. Ultimately, Mickelson agreed to drop the idea.

During the period from 2010 to 2014, Mickelson reportedly made over 1,100 bets worth $110,000 to win $100,000 and over 850 bets worth $220,000 to win $200,000. Walters claims that contrary to previous reports stating Mickelson’s gambling losses to be around $40 million, they were actually closer to $100 million. In total, Mickelson’s wagers exceeded $1 billion over the past three decades.

When asked for comment on Walters’ allegations, Mickelson has yet to respond. However, in a 2022 interview with Sports Illustrated, Mickelson admitted to his past gambling habits, acknowledging that they became reckless and embarrassing. He further disclosed that he has been addressing these issues for a number of years through therapy, and stated that he and his family have been financially secure for quite some time.

It is worth noting that Walters, 77, was convicted of insider trading in 2017 and sentenced to five years in prison. However, his sentence was commuted by former President Donald Trump on his last day in office, with the White House citing support from “numerous professional golfers, among them Mickelson.”