Golfer Phil Mickelson is back in golf and is addressing his demons, too, admitting he went through a “reckless” phase of gambling in the past. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
candid responses
Phil Mickelson, Head of Golf, addresses questions about his gambling past in an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated.
The golfer’s response touched on many areas, including gambling
Mickelson made the comments in response to inquiries regarding an upcoming separate $25 million golf course. The reporter asked if he needed the prize money from the competition due to financial difficulties. as such SI Writer Bob Harig shared via Twitter, the golfer’s response touched on many areas, including gambling:
Mickelson said he and his family had been financially stable “for some time.” However, he also openly admitted: “The gambling got to the point of being reckless and embarrassing. I had to handle it.” The 51-year-old added that he spent “hundreds of hours in treatment” for his gambling addiction.
Regarding gambling demons, Mickelson said he feels “good about who I am.” He also denied that he needed the cash from the LIV Golf Invitational Series backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in the UK, set to take off later this week.
stray years
In the SI an interviewMickelson delved into his emotions, describing gambling as part of his life “as long as I can remember.” However, the golfer did identify a time about ten years ago when his game became “reckless”.
Mickelson has described his gambling past as embarrassing, admitting that he doesn’t like what people know about her. However, he added that he feels more in control now. “We are in a place after so many years where I feel comfortable in his place,” he said. “It doesn’t pose a threat to me or my financial security. It was just a number of bad decisions.”
Final questions and the future
SI He also asked Mickelson about his habit of gambling on the golf course during practice rounds, but the golfer dismissed the bet as merely a way to “create competition”. Compare this to off-track betting and all the addiction and anxiety that comes with it.
I came out with a balance in my life.”
“I’ve been spending a lot of time in therapy and dealing with the issues that I have,” Mickelson added. “But I’ve got balance in my life and renewed excitement and energy to get back into golf.”
The interview notes Mickelson’s break from a blanket of four months of golf tournaments and media statements about the backlash over the controversial LIV golf tournament, Mickelson’s new venture seen by some as a threat to the PGA.
