Mickleson gambling at Augusta?

[AmenCorner]

probably just another silly e-mail, but thought I would post anyways.

From GolfWeek Insider.....

MICKELSON'S GAMBLING DEBTS CAUSE UPROAR AMONG AUGUSTA MEMBERS

Last week Phil Mickelson was playing a practice round at Augusta and went away from protocol and convinced his playing partners to up the stakes in the usual $1 game. It was Mickelson versus the other three which included some of the deepest pockets among the membership. The stakes: $5000 skins and a pot of $130,000, $100,000 of which was contributed by Mickelson for the low net score - Mickelson would play off scratch.

According to one of the threesome which obviously will remain anonymous, "everything was going great until the back 9 when Mickelson really could not believe the good fortune of 'chuckie'. He was draining everything on the greens and when he missed the green twice he had two chip-ins. Phil's lead on the scorecard looked safe but in the clubhouse we added it up and lo and behold, Phil owed $200,000." And then it got ugly. The stories by witnesses conflict, but in effect Mickelson tried to pass the bets off as laugh on the first tee and insisted "there was no way he would bet hundreds of thousands on golf." Mickelson believed the standard one dollar game was in effect.

The threesome was having none of it and before you know it the foursome was sitting in the office of Billy Payne who was none too happy about the loud conversations taking place in the dining room. But even in the privacy of the office, Mickelson was being very difficult. According to the same anonymous member: "Phil slipped up and admitted that he initiated the stakes and set the terms of the bet. Then he protested at having to pay so much and offered 30 cents on the dollar right then and there, take it or leave it. Billy was aghast and told Phil, you will arrange to pay every dollar or you will never be welcome at Augusta again, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. Mickelson tried to protest and even made a snide remark that Billy couldn't stop him from being welcome at Augusta every April. Billy simply asked are you taking it or leaving it."

Mickelson later called his accountant with the banking details of 'chuckie' and an arrangement was made for a wire transfer of an undisclosed amount. The worse of this may not be over as the other member of the threesome was upset enough to call the PGA Tour. When contacted for a comment, the PGA Tour declined to comment and would not even acknowledge whether or not they have been contacted about the conflict at Augusta National.

[ERC7.5]

Most of the Google returns that I looked at says it's a hoax.
Here's Golfweeks statement

[LottaBalata]

Phil doesn't seem like someone who would blow a bunch a money on gambling. I'm mean, don't get me wrong, I don't know the guy personally. . .but it just seems that way. He does so much as far as charity stuff and donations, I'm calling BS!! JMO

[golf_junkie27]

For argument's sake, let's say this is true. What is $200k to a guy that made close to $50 million, last year?

I'm amused by him sitting with the Chairman of Augusta. Other than not allowing him to play, was he going to send Phil to a collections agency?

[AmenCorner]

For argument's sake, let's say this is true. What is $200k to a guy that made close to $50 million, last year?

Augustans are connected, you don't even know man!

[Dent]

Ya that doesn't seem right, why would he protest giving a guy 200,000 dollars, thats nothing to him.

[Hustle]

Ya that doesn't seem right, why would he protest giving a guy 200,000 dollars, thats nothing to him.

Hey, Mickelson is a man just like most of us. It is not only about money, but pride also. And 200k is a lot of money no matter who you are. I am not sure if this really happened or not, but I have played with smart butt guys that honestly believe that they could beat Tiger heads up. So my guess would be that a group of local hot shots ran there mouth off to Mickelson and the rest is history.....

[AmenCorner]

Ya that doesn't seem right, why would he protest giving a guy 200,000 dollars, thats nothing to him.

You will find that, even with the ultra wealthy, they still realize that 200k is a LOT of money. Trust me. In fact, with some of these people, they are even tighter than most would be with the same amount.

[AmenCorner]

The problem I have with the story is the fact that the article seems to portray the membership at Augusta as being okay with high stakes gambling. I'm guessing this would be frowned upon at such a club. It could only bring them negative attention. I think the article is probably nonsense but I would have wanted somebody else to post it here if they got it before me.

[Hustle]

You will find that, even with the ultra wealthy, they still realize that 200k is a LOT of money. Trust me. In fact, with some of these people, they are even tighter than most would be with the same amount.

Exactly.. Most realize how hard it is to make that kinda money, and they also hate letting it go.

Which reminds me, the neighbor kid with 1 leg and a patch over his eye just finished washing my Bentley. I better get out there and give him a shiney quarter. After all, this is his third time to try and get it right today...

[AmenCorner]

Exactly.. Most realize how hard it is to make that kinda money, and they also hate letting it go.

Show that little peasant who is boss! He should be so thankful that you employ him at such a hefty wage!

[iacas]

Phil doesn't

I believe Phil used to gamble quite heavily. I'm not sure if he still does.

Guys aren't supposed to gamble during PGA Tour practice rounds either, but if you're inside the ropes or close to them, and you follow the same group for several holes, you can figure out what the bet is and what the teams are. Don't follow the super-religious ones though. They rarely seem to bet. In contrast, any group with Charlie Hoffman likely has a bet going. A lot of the guys practice together throughout the season, so they likely don't settle their bets until the end of the year. One of the caddies I talked to said keeping track of the bets is part of his job description.

[MrKadash]

I bet Phil's put some money down on his beloved San Diego Chargers over the years, no pun intended....

I don't think it would be too difficult to bet during a practice round anywhere and keep it quiet, but I'm guessing there.

[BallStriker]

Certainly a hoax. Let's look at the facts. They played 3 against 1, for $5k skins and $130,000 pot for low net ($100,000 of which was supposedly put up by PMick).

If Phil lost every skin and the low net, he would only be out $190,000 (not $200,000). Given the tone of the article, it sounds like he was in good shape at the turn, so we have to assume that he was at least even on the skins. This leaves his maximum debt at $145,000 (unless there was a major carryover).

Anyway, nobody "knew" where they stood until they got in the clubhouse -- so, we can assume there was no pressing or late round bets.

The facts don't add up.

[BASHERBAKER69]

I do not believe Phil to be a gambler. He seems too 'nice'. Its just a smear campaign in my view. Now, to say that JD is a gambler different matter altogether.

To say that Phil is a gambler is tantamount to saying that Tiger is an alcoholic. It just can't be true.

Anyway, wealthy people are sometimes tighter than ordinary people, so the idea that 200k means nothing to Phil is preposterous.

So there!

[ERC7.5]

I do not believe Phil to be a gambler.

I've been told I'm a nice guy.....I gamble......not excessively but I gamble.

[BASHERBAKER69]

but not with 200000!..lol

[ERC7.5]

but not with 200000!..lol

Yeah, but if I had it.............. Nevermind......You're right! lol