After the opening round of FedEx St Jude Championship on Thursday, Rory McIlroy was asked aboutaan accusation that Phil Mickelson attempted to gamble on the 2012 Ryder Cup, a tournament in which he played.
In a new book by professional gambler Billy Walters, he alleges that Mickelson tried to place a $400,000 bet on the competition which the USA lost by a point to Europe at Medinah. Walters and Mickelson were gambling partners at the time.
Asked for his reaction to the excerpt, which was published by the Fire Pit Collective on Thursday, McIlroy replied: "At least he can bet on the Ryder Cup this year because he won't be a part of it."
There is no love lost between Rory McIlroy & Phil Mickelson 💀 pic.twitter.com/N4jumh0QjL
— Rory Tracker (@RoryTrackr) August 10, 2023
As he plays on the LIV Tour rather than the PGA Tour, Mickelson has only been able to earn Ryder Cup points through playing in the majors. He currently ranks 36th in the US standings ahead of next month's tournament in Rome.
Mickelson released a statement on Thursday, saying "I never bet on the Ryder Cup".
It continued: "While it is well known that I always enjoy a friendly wager on the course, I would never undermine the integrity of the game. I have also been very open about my gambling addiction. I have previously conveyed my remorse, took responsibility, have gotten help, have been fully committed to therapy that has positively impacted me and I feel good about where I am now."
30 September 2016; Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan of Europe watching as Phil Mickelson is putting on the second green during the morning Foursomes Matches against Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler of USA at The 2016 Ryder Cup Matches at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, USA. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
In the excerpt, Walters said Mickelson called him from Medinah in late September of 2012.
"He was feeling supremely confident that the American squad led by Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, and Phil himself was about to reclaim the Cup from the Euros," Walters says in the book.
"He was so confident that he asked me to place a $400,000 wager for him on the U.S. team to win.
"I could not believe what I was hearing.
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” I told him. “Don’t you remember what happened to Pete Rose?” The former Cincinnati Reds manager was banned from baseball for betting on his own team. “You’re seen as a modern-day Arnold Palmer,” I added. “You’d risk all that for this? I want no part of it.’’
“Alright, alright,” he replied."
Walters adds that he does not know if Mickelson placed the bet elsewhere. On the Sunday of that Ryder Cup, the six-time major winner lost his singles match to Justin Rose as Europe pulled off a remarkable comeback to win 14.5 - 13.5.
