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Court documents reveal Phil Mickelson once paid $1.95 million in gambling debts

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Phil Mickelson is a gambler. Whether money is involved or not, Mickelson takes risks. It could be going for the green from the pine straw on Sunday at No. 13 at Augusta or throwing a couple dollars on a Monday game with Keegan Bradley.

Lefty got himself caught up with the law in an insider trading case in 2016, however, where he was linked with professional gambler Billy Walters who’s now on trial in a Manhattan federal court. While Mickelson is absolved of any wrongdoing and will not need to testify in the case, it was revealed in court the amount of money that’s at stake when Mickelson gambles.

According to the New York Post, court documents showed that Mickelson once paid Walters $1.95 million for gambling debts in 2012. And the way it sounds, that wasn’t the first time Mickelson had to pony up that kind of dough.

“Mr. Mickelson owed similar debt to Mr. Walters in the past,” prosecutor Brooke Cucinella told the jury.

Keep in mind that court documents also revealed Mickelson “earned $48 million” in 2012, and Forbes estimated his net worth to be $375 million in 2016.

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19 Comments

19 Comments

  1. Fat Perez

    Apr 3, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    How can you not love the Dill Pickle apologists? Deep guys crack me up!!

  2. Justin

    Apr 2, 2017 at 12:04 am

    I have first hand seen Phil gamble. He came to coto De Gaza in Orange county and played a kid on the canadian tour. Gave him one and one in a nassau and lost 40k. Walked out to his Escalade and brought back 40k and went home. Game was set up by a bookie who lives in OC. True story.

  3. Johnnylongballz

    Apr 1, 2017 at 3:59 am

    2 Million is to Phil as 50 bucks is to me. Why did I read this, and why am I commenting????

  4. Mr Muira

    Apr 1, 2017 at 1:28 am

    Old news that we already knew, move on.

  5. Jack

    Apr 1, 2017 at 12:40 am

    Anyone really dumb enough to think that Phil only gambled 1.95 million? Phil has changed sponsors to have gambling debts nearly 10X that large paid off. That’s how he got to Callaway. But that’s his business.

  6. MuskieCy

    Apr 1, 2017 at 12:14 am

    Phil Mickelson stole from investors who didn’t have the inside information.

    He paid the SEC enough so he didn’t have to testify in court.

    It would be very difficult to be in the Witness Protection Program and play the PGA Tour.

  7. MuskieCy

    Apr 1, 2017 at 12:10 am

    Phil Mickelson admitted using insider information. That is stealing from legitimate investors.

    He paid off the SEC so no court testimony was required.

    It would be very hard to be in the Witness Protection Program and play the PGA Tour.

    • BB

      Apr 1, 2017 at 5:51 am

      Witness Protection Program? Yeah, no one knows what Phil looks like. He would just blend in with the upper middle-class suburbanites.

  8. matt_bear

    Mar 31, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    Phil is apex predator status. He plays for meaning. He needs action. I understand him. $2 million is nothing if you’re making $40+ a year. From interviews and his past history it appears that he takes care of his family, so I doubt the gambling is an issue.

    • McPickens

      Mar 31, 2017 at 2:08 pm

      nailed it

    • S Hitter

      Mar 31, 2017 at 8:31 pm

      Yeah. It’s not like he’s texting his bookies during the round or summin’ lmao

    • MuskieCy

      Mar 31, 2017 at 11:46 pm

      Yep, only wagering 2.5% of his gross annual income on a silly golf thing. Nothing desperate or sad about that.

      How about 7.5% of net income? To a well known fixer.

      Think any “oh that’s Phil being Phil” stupid stuff was stroke shaving? Point shaving always occurs on unexplained mistakes to insure betting outcomes.

      • matt_bear

        Apr 1, 2017 at 10:44 pm

        He wouldn’t point shave because his #1 priority is winning.

  9. Bob Chipeska

    Mar 31, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    Is he stealing from or harming others to pay off his gambling debts? No? Then it is nobody’s f***** business.

    • S Hitter

      Mar 31, 2017 at 8:32 pm

      We thought we got rid of youse for good you worthless piece of s……

    • MuskieCy

      Mar 31, 2017 at 11:53 pm

      He is stealing from investors who didn’t have the inside information.

      He paid off his gambling debt, $1.9M and now has paid the SEC $1.95M to keep his sorry ass from testifying against Walters.

      It would be hard to be a a PGA Tour player and in the Witness Protection Program at the same time. Just ask PM.

    • MuskieCy

      Mar 31, 2017 at 11:59 pm

      Phil Mickleson stole from investors who didn’t have the same insider information. He paid off the SEC so he didn’t have to testify in court against Walters.

      It would be tough to play on the PGA Tour and participate in the Witness Protection Program.

    • joro

      Apr 3, 2017 at 11:47 am

      You are right, me too, and of course you, so what is your goal in life? Hope it is being the stupidest cause you are very good at it. Congratulations and Have a nice day. ha ha ha ha ha

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.

They wrote:

“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”

Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
  • jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
  • jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
  • Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”

Entire Thread: “Most Birdies Without Breaking Par.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
  • bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
  • CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

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GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

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A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down. 

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

 

  • GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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