Phil Mickelson has been open about his “reckless and embarrassing” gambling habits, which he says he has rejected.
As Mark Cannizzaro first reported from The Post, Mickelson signed up to play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, which launches this week in a tournament outside of London. The deal is worth $ 200 million, according to Golf Channel.
Mickelson interviewed Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, who asked if he made the move because of “financial difficulties.”
“My game got to the point of being reckless and embarrassing. I had to deal with it. And I’ve been dealing with it for a few years now. And for hundreds of hours of therapy. I feel good where I am. My family and I have been and have been financially secure for a long time, “Mickelson replied.
Phil Mickelson spoke of his “reckless and embarrassing” gambling habits, which he says has skyrocketed. PGA TOUR via Getty Images
“Gambling has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. But about a decade ago it was when I would say it became reckless. It’s embarrassing. I don’t like people to know it. The truth is, “I’ve been doing this for a long time. Amy has given me a lot of support and with me and the process. We’re in a place after many years where I’m comfortable with where she is. It’s not a threat to me or for my financial security, they were just a series of bad decisions. “
Harig followed up with Mickelson, asking him if that meant he had stopped playing golf practice rounds. Indirectly, Mickelson replied no.
“On the golf course, it’s creating competition,” Mickelson said. “But it’s the anxiety, the other things that come with the off-course play and the off-course addiction that I really needed to address.”
Mickelson biographer Alan Shipnuck reported that the golfer lost $ 40 million over a four-year period between 2010 and 2014.