Title: Noted Gambler Billy Walters Claims Phil Mickelson Asked Him to Bet on the Ryder Cup in New Book
Subtitle: Walters reveals details about their friendship and gambling partnership
Date: [Current Date]
In his forthcoming book, “Gambler: Secrets From a Life at Risk,” seasoned gambler Billy Walters alleges that professional golfer Phil Mickelson asked him to place a $400,000 wager on the U.S. team to win the 39th Ryder Cup in 2012.
According to Walters, Mickelson was feeling extremely confident about the American squad’s chances, led by Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, and Mickelson himself, to regain the coveted Ryder Cup trophy from the Europeans. An excerpt from Walters’ book was recently published by The Fire Pit Collective and Golf Digest, offering a glimpse into their friendship and gambling partnership.
Walters disclosed that he declined to place the Ryder Cup bet and reminded Mickelson of the consequences faced by Pete Rose, who was banned from Major League Baseball in 1989 for betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds.
“I have no idea whether Phil placed the bet elsewhere,” wrote Walters. “Hopefully, he came to his senses, especially considering the ‘Miracle at Medinah.'”
In the electrifying finale of the Ryder Cup, the European team orchestrated an impressive comeback, with Martin Kaymer sinking a crucial six-foot par putt on the 18th green. This clinched enough points (14) for the Europeans to secure victory with a scoreline of 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 at the Medinah Country Club, situated outside Chicago. The anchor match between Woods and Francesco Molinari resulted in a draw and ultimately proved pivotal to the European win.
According to the book excerpt, the partnership between Walters and Mickelson began in 2008 when the golfer approached him about gambling. Their five-year gambling alliance involved placing bets on both college and professional sports, with a 50-50 profit-sharing arrangement.
Walters alleged that Mickelson placed a staggering 7,065 wagers on football, basketball, and baseball between 2010 and 2012, incurring gambling losses close to $100 million. The author further claimed that Mickelson’s total wagers over the past three decades exceed $1 billion, based on their relationship and information Walters has received from others.
It is worth noting that Walters himself was convicted of insider trading in 2017 for illegal transactions of Dean Foods stock and received a five-year prison sentence. The case garnered attention in the sports world when prosecutors accused Mickelson of making nearly $1 million through stock trades suggested by Walters in 2012. While Mickelson did not testify during the trial and evaded charges, he settled with the Security and Exchange Commission by agreeing to repay the sum in 2016.
As Billy Walters prepares to release his book, it offers unprecedented insights into the intricate details of his controversial friendship and gambling partnership with Phil Mickelson. The claims made in his account raise intriguing questions regarding the world of professional gambling and the relationship between sports figures and high-stakes betting.
(Photo: Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images)