Phil Mickelson Gambling
Phil Mickelson is used to paying off gambling debts, but I’m not sure he’s used to them being this exorbitant. Mickelson, who was tied to Vegas businessman William “Billy” Walters because. A year after Phil Mickelson's name was attached to a federal investigation for insider trading, the golfer was reportedly tied to an illegal gambling operation. According to Mike Fish and David. Mickelson is a well-known gambler, happy to share the stories of his wagering success and never shying away from a “friendly” wager with fellow players in the days before a tournament. The 45-year-old Mickelson, a five-time major champion, has long been known for his gambling ways on the golf course, both in his style of play and in his practice-round encounters with peers. Long before there was this Thanksgiving edition of Tiger vs. Phil, and before there were sponsors at Shadow Creek, and big pay-per-view dollars, there was just Phil Mickelson, legendary gambler.
Phil Mickelson did not exactly build raging momentum ahead of the U.S. Open. He hit the ball wildly all week at Silverado Resort, shot an unsatisfying, final-round 70 and finished well back in the pack (tied for 44th) at the Safeway Open.
At least Mickelson maintained his sense of humor. As he wrapped up his brief news conference after Sunday’s round, Mickelson was asked if he likes the 75-to-1 odds on him for the U.S. Open, which starts Thursday at Winged Foot in New York.
“I wouldn’t know,” he said with a smirk. “I’m not a gambling man.”
Mickelson, notoriously fond of wagering, might not want to bet on himself this week. He brings a famously tortured history in America’s national championship, with six runner-up finishes — including an epic, 72nd-hole meltdown at Winged Foot in 2006.
Also consider Mickelson’s persistent struggles off the tee at Silverado. He hit only 3-of-28 fairways on the weekend — one Saturday and two Sunday. In many ways, it’s remarkable he shot 70 both days.
The U.S. Open, as usual, will feature thick and punishing rough. So if Mickelson doesn’t straighten out his tee shots Thursday and Friday, he won’t even reach the weekend at Winged Foot.
Asked about his readiness for this impending major, he replied, “I’m not my sharpest; otherwise, I would be up on the leaderboard and in contention (in Napa). I’ve got some things to work on, but it’s not far off.”
Mickelson was especially troubled by the direction of his misses at Silverado. Many of his tee shots drifted left of their intended target, much to his dismay.
“The last couple months, I’ve been missing it more to the right,” he said. “For years, I missed it left. I haven’t been fearing that at all lately, but this week I missed it left, which is not good.”
Mickelson, at 50, remains a longshot to complete the career Grand Slam. One fan, undeterred, reportedly placed $45,000 on Mickelson to win, at those 45-to-1 odds — a potential payout of nearly $3.4 million.
On Friday, Mickelson tweeted about the bet and added, “Hoping for both of us I have a 3-shot lead on 18 tee.”
Phil Mickelson Gambling Augusta
Ron Kroichick covers golf for the San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rkroichick@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ronkroichick