VSiN to show exclusive Billy Walters interview later this month
Anticipation for the release of “Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk” by legendary gambler Billy Walters was already high, but intrigue about the book’s subject matter reached a new high point on Thursday.
In the first excerpt from the book (published by the Fire Pit Collective), the sports gambling odyssey of golfer Phil Mickelson was put on display for all to read. According to Walters, the six-time major champion has wagered over $1 billion over the last three decades, including a day in which he placed 43 separate bets on Major League Baseball games.
Walters also noted that Mickelson had limits at offshore sportsbooks of $400,000 on college football and NFL sides and $100,000 on college football totals at the start of their partnership, but the limits were quickly cut and accounts were closed with Walters pushing the buttons and picking out the wagers.
Using betting records and sources, Walters detailed some of Mickelson’s wagers between 2010-14, including almost 2,000 six-figure bets and over 3,000 total bets in 2011. Walters also said that Mickelson’s gambling losses are much closer to $100 million than the $40 previously reported.
Perhaps the most stunning element of Phil and Billy’s relationship is that Mickelson once asked Walters how he could get down a $400,000 bet on the 2012 Ryder Cup – a tournament in which Mickelson was playing for Team USA.
VSiN will have an exclusive interview between Walters and Brent Musburger that will run after the book comes out on August 22.
For now, check out our two previous interviews with the gambling legend:
The Follow the Money guys also interviewed PGA broadcaster Gary McCord previous about some Phil Mickelson gambling stories:
