Rory McIlroy makes brutal dig at Phil Mickelson over gambling claim 

Rory McIlroy has made a biting joke about Phil Mickelson after a new book alleged that the six-time major champion tried to stake $400,000 on the result of the Ryder Cup.

McIlroy was responding to the allegations made in an upcoming autobiography by renowned Las Vegas gambler Billy Walters that Mickelson wanted to wager the six-figure sum on a Team USA victory at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah.

In excerpts of ‘Gambler, Secrets of a Life at Risk’, published by Fire Pit Collective, Walters claims that Mickelson gambled up to $1billion across three decades of sustained sports betting.

• Mickelson ‘tried to bet on own Ryder Cup team’

• Mickelson: LIV golfers warrant Ryder Cup picks

And perhaps the most jaw-dropping in the series of accusations made by Walters was the story detailing Mickelson’s wish to bet on the Ryder Cup that he was playing in, where the American team were famously edged out by a point.

Mickelson responded to the claims with this statement on Thursday evening:

“I never bet on the Ryder Cup. 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.”

• Rory McIlroy’s Ryder Cup build-up

• Royal Lytham makes major return

The allegations concerning Mickelson have quickly become the talk of the golfing world and it did not take long for McIlroy to be quizzed on his thoughts at the Fed.Ex St.Jude Championship.

“At least he can bet on the Ryder Cup this year because he won’t be a part of it,” the Northern Irishman grinned.

McIlroy’s stinging barb following Walters’ accusations came after a three-under first round 67 left him four shots behind leader Jordan Spieth after the opening round in Memphis.

Walters, who claims to have first met Mickelson in 2006, two years before the duo began a betting partnership, was convicted and jailed for insider trading in 2017.

In a series of other allegations in the book that will be released later this month, the 77-year-old claims Mickelson used to wager $100,000 on individual matches in American football, baseball and basketball.

It is also claimed by Walters that Mickelson lost nearly $100million over a sustained period of gambling between 2010 and 2014.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.