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Phil Mickelson has opened up about his serious gambling addiction after admitting that his issues had damaged his relationship with his family. And the triple Masters champion warned other punters to curb their own activity to avoid ending up with the issues that he has had to deal with himself.
The alarming extent of the 53-year-old’s betting habits was revealed in a recent book written by renowned Las Vegas gambler Billy Walters. In the book, it is claimed that Walters formed a betting partnership with Mickelson but the six-time Major winner racked up losses of around £80m ($100m).
It was also claimed that ‘Lefty’ tried to bet on the 2012 Ryder Cup but was talked out of it by his betting partner.
Mickelson defected to the Saudi-funded LIV golf tour in 2022 and as an indirect consequence will have no role to play at this month’s Ryder Cup. No golfer has played more matches at the Ryder Cup than Mickelson with 47. He played in every event from 1995 until 2018 and was named as a vice-captain at Whistling Straits in 2021.
But with the new NFL season now underway, he has taken to social media to admit to his chronic gambling addiction.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he said: “Most of you will enjoy this football season with moderation while having lots of fun and entertainment. The fantasy leagues will provide banter amongst friends and money won or lost betting won’t affect you. I won’t be betting this year because I crossed the line of moderation and into addiction which isn’t any fun at all.
“The money wasn’t ever the issue since our financial security has never been threatened, but I was so distracted I wasn’t able to be present with the ones I love and caused a lot of harm. This lack of presence has been so hurtful. “You’re here but you’re not with us,” is something I’ve been told often throughout my addiction. It affected those I care about in ways I wasn’t aware or could fully understand.
“It’s like a hurricane is going on outside and I’m isolated in a shelter oblivious to what was happening. When I came out there was so much damage to clean up that I just wanted to go back inside and not deal with it.
“If you ever cross the line of moderation and enter into addiction, hopefully you won’t confuse your enablers as friends like I did. Hopefully you won’t have to deal with these difficult moments publicly so others can profit off you like I have. But hopefully you WILL have a strong and supportive partner who is willing to help you through being your worst self, and through your worst moments like I have in Amy.
“She has loved me and supported me through my darkest and most difficult times. I couldn’t have gotten through this without her. I’m so grateful for her strength in helping us get through the many challenges I’ve created for us. Because of her love, support, and commitment, I’m back on track to being the person I want to be.”
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The open and transparent statement arrives just four days after the USA’s 1995 Ryder Cup captain Lanny Wadkins claimed that Mickelson would be “gambling in a ditch somewhere” if it wasn’t for golf to keep him occupied.
The former world No. 1 admitted that he was still on the road to recovery and was patching up the harm caused to people that he loves.
Mickelson added: “After many years of receiving professional help, not gambling, and being in recovery from my addictions, I’m now able to sit still, be present in the moment and live each day with an inner calm and peace. I still have a lot of cleaning up to do with those I love the most but I’m doing it slowly and as best I can.
“This football season and beyond, enjoy yourself with moderation so it doesn’t detract from your ability to be present. In my experience, the moments with the ones you love will be far more remembered than any bet you win or fantasy league triumph.”
Mickelson denied Walters’ claim that he tried to bet in the 2012 Ryder Cup. He told Golf Digest: “I never bet on the Ryder Cup. While it is well known that I always enjoy a friendly wager on the course, I would never undermine the integrity of the game.”
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