Phil Mickelson's gambling habits are no secret, but an excerpt in Golf Digest from Billy Walters' upcoming book "Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk" reveals just how serious things got.
Walters, one of the most successful sports bettors of all time, formed a gambling partnership with Mickelson for five years up until the spring of 2014.
Walters claims he received a call from Mickelson in September 2012 while the latter was set to compete in the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club. Mickelson was feeling extraordinarily confident that the U.S. team led by him and Tiger Woods could beat the European squad after losing in 2010. Walters says Mickelson asked him to place a $400,000 bet for him on the American team to win.
"Have you lost your fucking mind?" Walters remembers telling him. "Don't you remember what happened to Pete Rose? You're seen as a modern-day Arnold Palmer. You'd risk all that for this? I want no part of it."
"Alright, alright," Mickelson replied, according to Walters.