Phil Mickelson’s Gambling Losses, Debt, and Problem

Phil Mickelson is a legend in his own right, and if you’re even remotely familiar with golf, his name should ring a bell. With more than 45 event wins and six major championships to his name, he’s cemented his place among the most talented athletes in the sport’s history.

Yet behind the calm, confident exterior lies a story of loss and addiction that shadowed Mickelson for more than three decades. Over that time, he wagered more than $1 billion and reportedly lost around $100 million to gambling.

You may know Mickelson as the unflinching golfer who can sink a putt from almost any situation — but you probably don’t know Mickelson the gambler. This is his story.

Phil Mickelson’s Gambling – An Untold Story of 30 Years

Mickelson has been a generation-defining golfer, but few suspected his gambling proclivity, and he gambled a lot. Things finally came to light when Billy Walters published his book, “Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk,” describing Mickelson’s fraught relationship with the activity.

Walters argues that over 30 years, Mickelson wagered more than $1 billion, resulting in net losses of $100 million. The book similarly went into specifics, arguing that Mickelson would place as many as 43 bets in a single day, and he wagered 7,000 times between 2010 and 2014 alone.

His gambling behavior has been erratic and pointing to a struggle with the activity. Mickelson would place on close favorites and turn a loss anyway. He would bet six figures repeatedly, Walters’ book argues.

Important fact: Mickelson once owed Walters $1.36 million, supposedly, related to the golfer’s gambling. He has repaid the debt.

Mickelson even tried to place a $400,000 wager on Team USA to win the 2012 Ryder Cup. At one point in 2011, he placed dozens of baseball bets, to end up with a $90,000 loss. The golfer is estimated to have placed as many as 1,000 football bets alone, making it one of the most prolific sports he has ever bet on.

Despite his erratic behavior gambling-wise, Mickelson remained remarkably composed on the field, with few people ever doubting that he may be going through emotional turmoil.  

Mickelson’s Gambling May Have Led to the LIV Golf Being Created

In retrospect, one question gets asked a lot, and Mickelson has not given a definitive answer or even touched on the matter publicly. While it can be argued that Mickelson has been a professional golfer and never crossed ethical guidelines, fans have started wondering if there is one championship too many that was created because of him, and possibly, because of his gambling losses.

There is zero evidence to bring Mickelson’s integrity into question, but the fact remains that he was one of the most vocal supporters of the LIV Golf, which split from the PGA Tour, and became a side-by-side powerhouse, splitting the world of professional golfers. Questions have been raised about whether Mickelson was tempted by the prospect of advertising the new event to generate additional income.

This is purely speculative; however, Mickelson was among the staunchest supporters of the event, throwing in his lot with it and supposedly getting paid a hefty chunk of money to promote it. The player supposedly received $200 million to promote the event, one of the largest contracts ever signed in golf history.

FAQs about Phil Mickelson’s Gambling Habits

Is Phil Mickelson a gambling addict?

Yes, Phil Mickelson confirmed that he is struggling with gambling addiction in 2023 and that he has taken steps to address the problem.

Did Phil Mickelson ever fix games?

No, there is no evidence to suggest as much. While he did bet on Team USA to win the Ryder Cup and put down a substantial wager, $400,000, he gambled on his team to outperform everyone else.

Has Phil Mickelson faced charges because of his gambling?

No, Mickelson was never found to have committed any wrongdoing when it comes to his gambling habits.

How much has Phil Mickelson lost due to gambling?

At least $100 million, according to the book published by Billy Walters. This figure was never confirmed by Mickelson himself, who is said to have gambled more than $1 billion, based on Walters’ reporting.

How much money did Phil Mickelson gamble in total?

$1 billion by Billy Walters’ estimate. The exact money gambled by Phil Mickelson is not known, probably even to the golfer himself. He is said to have been placing dozens of wagers at one point every day.

Mickelson’s Gambling Addiction and Criminal Charges

At long last, Mickelson did admit publicly that he had a problem with gambling, saying in 2022 that he had taken steps to address his lifelong struggle. Walters’ book largely prompted the legendary golfer to address the issue and put an end to speculation, doing so the only way he knew how – speak openly about the issue.

Regarding Mickelson’s slightly controversial bet on Team USA to win the Ryder Cup, the golfer never faced criminal charges, nor any reputational damage. Somehow, Mickelson’s betting was always based on either other sports or him to win, and he never engaged in the activity to exploit it for financial gain.

What Is Next for Mickelson?

Phil Mickelson is no longer gambling, or so it seems, although he is a remarkably private person when it comes to his interests and his social circle. While another story about his gambling habits is unlikely to quite catch attention as Walters’ book has, nor is another huge story about his gambling habits set to break out any time soon.

Today, the golfer has an estimated net worth of $400 million, and his gambling addiction has not run him into the ground. In this regard, Mickelson’s talents as an exceptional golfer, a businessman, and a composed individual have all contributed to a positive outcome.