Noted gambler Billy Walters alleged in his upcoming book “Gambler: Secrets From a Life at Risk” that Phil Mickelson asked Walters to place a $400,000 wager on the U.S. team to win the 39th Ryder Cup in 2012.
Mickelson “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,” according to Walters. Both The Fire Pit Collective and Golf Digest published an excerpt from Walters’ book, which will be released later this month by Simon & Schuster, detailing his friendship and gambling partnership with Mickelson on Thursday.
Walters said he wouldn’t place the Ryder Cup bet and reminded Mickelson of what happened to Pete Rose, according to the book excerpt. Rose was banned from Major League Baseball in 1989 for placing bets on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds.
“I have no idea whether Phil placed the bet elsewhere,” wrote Walters. “Hopefully, he came to his senses, especially considering the ‘Miracle at Medinah.”’
On the final day of the Ryder Cup, the Europeans pulled off a stunning comeback when Martin Kaymer stroked a six-foot par putt on the 18th green to ensure enough points (14) for his team to win at the Medinah Country Club outside Chicago. Additionally, Woods and Francesco Molinari’s anchor match produced the lone draw of the day, giving the Europeans a one-point lead for the win at 14 1/2 to 13 1/2.
According to Walters’ book excerpt, Mickelson first approached him about gambling in 2008 and they eventually entered into a gambling partnership that lasted five years. They split everything 50-50 and bet on both college and professional sports.
Walters alleged Mickelson made 7,065 wagers on football, basketball and baseball from 2010 to 2012 and the golfer’s gambling losses totaled nearly $100 million. He also said Mickelson has wagered more than $1 billion over the past three decades “based on (their) relationship and what (Walters has) since learned from others.”
Walters was convicted of insider trading in 2017 for trading Dean Foods stock and sentenced to five years in prison. The case drew attention from the sports world after prosecutors said Mickelson made nearly $1 million when Walters told him to trade Dean Foods stock in 2012. According to prosecutors, Mickelson gave Walters the money to cover gambling debts the golfer owed him.
Mickelson did not testify at Walters’ trial and never faced charges in the case, although the Security and Exchange Commission sued Mickelson over the money earned from the stock trades. The six-time major champion agreed to pay the money in 2016.
(Photo: Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images)
Mickelson tried to bet on 2012 Ryder Cup, has wagered more than $1B, former gambling partner alleges - The Athletic
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