Rory McIlroy sparks Phil Mickelson feud with fierce reaction to Ryder Cup allegations: ‘At least he can bet on it this year’
Rory McIlroy brutally responded to allegations that Phil Mickelson tried to wager $400,000 on the 2012 Ryder Cup, joking that the left-hander could play at that year’s game because he won’t be playing.
Following a book by well-known sports player Billy Walters, Mickelson has denied placing bets on the Ryder Cup.
Walters claimed he and Mickelson had discussed betting on the Medinah game – which Mickelson denied in a statement to Sports Illustrated.
“I’ve never bet on the Ryder Cup,” Mickelson said. “I would never undermine the integrity of the game.” I’ve also been very open about my gambling addiction.
McIlroy was questioned about the allegations during the FEDEX St Jude Championship. He said with a mischievous smile, “At least he can bet on the Ryder Cup this year because he won’t be there.”
Rory McIlroy brutally responded to claims Phil Mickelson tried to bet on the Ryder Cup
Mickelson denied in a statement Thursday that he had placed a bet on the 2012 Ryder Cup
Europe and the US meet near Rome next month. Mickelson, 53, has competed in a record 12 Ryder Cups for the USA but has now accepted that the chapter in his career is over after joining LIV Golf.
Mickelson’s prominent role on the breakaway sparked a war of words with McIlroy, one of the PGA Tour’s staunchest defenders in recent years.
The left-hander’s denial on Thursday came after Walters revealed his relationship with the golfing legend in his autobiography, Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk, via Golf Digest.
Citing betting records and two “very reliable” sources, the Las Vegas businessman claims that from 2010 to 2014, Mickelson made 858 bets totaling $220,000 and 1,115 bets totaling $110,000, while estimating that its total losses over the past 30 years have surpassed the $1 billion mark.
“The only other person I know who has surpassed that amount is me,” he said.
Walters also claims that Mickelson, who has won six major championships in his illustrious golfing career, even attempted to place a $400,000 bet in 2012 on his own US team winning the Ryder Cup.
“Phil called me from the Medinah Country Club just outside of Chicago where the 39th Ryder Cup games between the United States and Europe were being played,” he recalled.
Mickelson’s former gambling partner Billy Walters (pictured) has opened up about their relationship in his autobiography, claiming the golfer wagered $400,000 on the Ryder Cup
The six-time major champion, pictured with his wife Amy, is said to have made 858 wagers for $220,000 and 1,115 wagers for $110,000 from 2010-2014
“He was extremely confident that the American team, led by Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson and Phil himself, would reclaim the trophy at the European Championships.” He was so confident that he asked me to place a $400,000 bet on the victory of the to place US teams.
“I couldn’t believe what I heard.”
Walters, who was sentenced to five years in prison for insider trading in 2017, says he then angrily asked Mickelson, “Have you lost your friggin’ mind?” before the California golfer withdrew his request. He remains unsure if he placed the bet elsewhere.
Mickelson denied the allegation, emphasizing, “While it is well known that I always enjoy making a friend bet on the golf course, I would never compromise the integrity of the game.” I’ve also been very open about my gambling addiction.
“I have previously expressed my remorse, accepted responsibility, received help, fully committed to therapy that has had a positive impact on me and I feel good about where I am now.”