News
Court documents reveal Phil Mickelson once paid $1.95 million in gambling debts
Phil Mickelson is a gambler. Whether money is involved or not, Mickelson takes risks. It could be going for the green from the pine straw on Sunday at No. 13 at Augusta or throwing a couple dollars on a Monday game with Keegan Bradley.
Lefty got himself caught up with the law in an insider trading case in 2016, however, where he was linked with professional gambler Billy Walters who’s now on trial in a Manhattan federal court. While Mickelson is absolved of any wrongdoing and will not need to testify in the case, it was revealed in court the amount of money that’s at stake when Mickelson gambles.
According to the New York Post, court documents showed that Mickelson once paid Walters $1.95 million for gambling debts in 2012. And the way it sounds, that wasn’t the first time Mickelson had to pony up that kind of dough.
“Mr. Mickelson owed similar debt to Mr. Walters in the past,” prosecutor Brooke Cucinella told the jury.
Keep in mind that court documents also revealed Mickelson “earned $48 million” in 2012, and Forbes estimated his net worth to be $375 million in 2016.
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.
In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Jason Day – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- SungJae Im – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
Pullout Albums
- Jason Day’s 1off Payntr golf shoes – 2026 The Memorial
- JT Poston’s TaylorMade Spider – 2026 The Memorial
- Cameron putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Tommy Fleetwood’s TM Spider putters – 2026 The Memorial
- New Mitsubishi Chemical 1K Pro Orange shaft – 2026 The Memorial
News
Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley
Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.
Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.
PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole
Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.
Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.
Henley’s Suitcase
- Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
- Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
- Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
- Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
- Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype
LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!
Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.
Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.
Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.
Celine’s Suitcase
- Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
- Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
- Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
- Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
- Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS
DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!
Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.
Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.
Kaneko’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping Max G440
- Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
- Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
- Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7
Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro
Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.
The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.
Alvaro’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
- Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
- Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
- Wedges
- Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C
A party on the green!
Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026
LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin
Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.
Niemann’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping 440 LST
- Metal: Ping G440 Max at 15 degrees
- Metal: Ping G425 Max at 21 degrees
- Hybrid: Ping G430 at 25 degrees
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S 5 through PW
- Wedges: Ping S159 at 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Ping PLD Anser
News
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX

3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX

7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 80 TX
Irons: Titleist T250 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48), S400 (47)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 Tour Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x


Fat Perez
Apr 3, 2017 at 1:31 pm
How can you not love the Dill Pickle apologists? Deep guys crack me up!!
Justin
Apr 2, 2017 at 12:04 am
I have first hand seen Phil gamble. He came to coto De Gaza in Orange county and played a kid on the canadian tour. Gave him one and one in a nassau and lost 40k. Walked out to his Escalade and brought back 40k and went home. Game was set up by a bookie who lives in OC. True story.
joro
Apr 3, 2017 at 11:42 am
Aren’t you special.
Johnnylongballz
Apr 1, 2017 at 3:59 am
2 Million is to Phil as 50 bucks is to me. Why did I read this, and why am I commenting????
Mr Muira
Apr 1, 2017 at 1:28 am
Old news that we already knew, move on.
Jack
Apr 1, 2017 at 12:40 am
Anyone really dumb enough to think that Phil only gambled 1.95 million? Phil has changed sponsors to have gambling debts nearly 10X that large paid off. That’s how he got to Callaway. But that’s his business.
MuskieCy
Apr 1, 2017 at 12:14 am
Phil Mickelson stole from investors who didn’t have the inside information.
He paid the SEC enough so he didn’t have to testify in court.
It would be very difficult to be in the Witness Protection Program and play the PGA Tour.
MuskieCy
Apr 1, 2017 at 12:10 am
Phil Mickelson admitted using insider information. That is stealing from legitimate investors.
He paid off the SEC so no court testimony was required.
It would be very hard to be in the Witness Protection Program and play the PGA Tour.
BB
Apr 1, 2017 at 5:51 am
Witness Protection Program? Yeah, no one knows what Phil looks like. He would just blend in with the upper middle-class suburbanites.
matt_bear
Mar 31, 2017 at 12:54 pm
Phil is apex predator status. He plays for meaning. He needs action. I understand him. $2 million is nothing if you’re making $40+ a year. From interviews and his past history it appears that he takes care of his family, so I doubt the gambling is an issue.
McPickens
Mar 31, 2017 at 2:08 pm
nailed it
S Hitter
Mar 31, 2017 at 8:31 pm
Yeah. It’s not like he’s texting his bookies during the round or summin’ lmao
MuskieCy
Mar 31, 2017 at 11:46 pm
Yep, only wagering 2.5% of his gross annual income on a silly golf thing. Nothing desperate or sad about that.
How about 7.5% of net income? To a well known fixer.
Think any “oh that’s Phil being Phil” stupid stuff was stroke shaving? Point shaving always occurs on unexplained mistakes to insure betting outcomes.
matt_bear
Apr 1, 2017 at 10:44 pm
He wouldn’t point shave because his #1 priority is winning.
Bob Chipeska
Mar 31, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Is he stealing from or harming others to pay off his gambling debts? No? Then it is nobody’s f***** business.
S Hitter
Mar 31, 2017 at 8:32 pm
We thought we got rid of youse for good you worthless piece of s……
MuskieCy
Mar 31, 2017 at 11:53 pm
He is stealing from investors who didn’t have the inside information.
He paid off his gambling debt, $1.9M and now has paid the SEC $1.95M to keep his sorry ass from testifying against Walters.
It would be hard to be a a PGA Tour player and in the Witness Protection Program at the same time. Just ask PM.
MuskieCy
Mar 31, 2017 at 11:59 pm
Phil Mickleson stole from investors who didn’t have the same insider information. He paid off the SEC so he didn’t have to testify in court against Walters.
It would be tough to play on the PGA Tour and participate in the Witness Protection Program.
joro
Apr 3, 2017 at 11:47 am
You are right, me too, and of course you, so what is your goal in life? Hope it is being the stupidest cause you are very good at it. Congratulations and Have a nice day. ha ha ha ha ha