Major champ claims that without golf Phil Mickelson would be ‘gambling in a ditch somewhere’
Last month, the details of Phil Mickelson’s gambling problem became public in Billy Walters’ book, “Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk”. Walters claimed that Mickelson bet over a billion dollars over the course of their relationship and even alleged that Phil (unsuccessfully) attempted to bet on the United States team before the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah.
During an appearance on Golf Channel last month, former Ryder Cup captain Lanny Wadkins ripped Lefty, saying “I don’t know if there has ever been a more disappointing figure in the game of golf than Phil Mickelson.”
This week, Wadkins did an interview with Golfweek, and doubled down on his comments.
He was asked: “I saw you on Golf Channel with our Eamon Lynch, saying Phil Mickelson is ‘the most disappointing person in golf.’ Do you stick with that comment?”
Wadkins responded by saying that if it weren’t for golf, Mickelson would be “gambling in a ditch somewhere”.
“Well, I was supposed to be on the show answering a question about my PGA win and they throw that out there. But the truth is Phil’s disappointing. I mean we all love Phil and watched him play. He was a rookie on my Ryder Cup team and played very well. He went 3-0. He and Amy were dating, they weren’t even married at that point in time. But to do the stuff he’s done and, you know, cause the problems he’s caused and the friction he’s caused, and the divisiveness in golf he’s caused.
If it wasn’t for golf, where would Phil Mickelson be? You know, he’d be gambling in a ditch somewhere. So, you know, It’s not good. I think he owes more to the game than what he’s done.
No question he would have been a captain, probably a two-time captain. He probably would have been the captain next time at Bethpage Black when it comes over here. Instead, it’ll probably be Tiger.”
Wadkins and Mickelson are tied for the most points in American Ryder Cup history, with 21.5 points each.
