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Phil Mickelson says he’s received ‘hundreds of hours of therapy’ for ‘reckless’ gambling addiction

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Stories of Phil Mickelson’s gambling run deep in golfing folklore and, in Alan Shipnuck’s recently released biography, things became a touch more real with stories of money being thrown around on all manner of outcomes, whatever the sport.

Given his exile from the sport, Lefty’s reputation was shrouded in mystery as we were left with some diverse opinions on the Saudi League, once the certain destination for the six-time major champion and then subject of some very political rhetoric.

It was time for the man himself to speak and he re-emerged on social media last night with the declaration that he once again intends to be part of the controversial LIV series. So certain is this move that Wikipedia now say he ‘used to play on the PGA Tour but now plays on the LIV Tour.’

The statement included an apology to the “many people I offended and hurt with my comments” and revealed that he has found peace and contentment at home with his family during his hiatus. He also states that his consideration to join the LIV series has given him a “renewed spirit and excitement for the game.”

As we have learned from various sources over the past few months, the 51-year-old knows how to play the crowd but at least we were getting this from the man himself, rather than hearsay.

Indeed, Mickelson recently gave an interview to Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig in which he skirts past the Saudi Arabia controversy and the whys and wherefores of joining or otherwise.

Whilst glossing over some of these issues as “a lot of mistakes”, he was happy to go into further detail about rumors of his gambling habit.

Harig asked Mickelson if his decision to play the LIV series, and receive a hefty sum to do so, was based on any “financial difficulties” and the reply was that it hadn’t but Lefty acknowledged that he had struggled with gambling.

“My gambling got to a point of being reckless and embarrassing,” he said. “I had to address it. And I’ve been addressing it for a number of years. And for hundreds of hours of therapy. I feel good where I’m at there. My family and I are and have been financially secure for some time.”

He added, “Gambling has been part of my life ever since I can remember. But about a decade ago is when I would say it became reckless. It’s embarrassing. I don’t like that people know. The fact is I’ve been dealing with it for some time. Amy has been very supportive of it and with me and the process. We’re at a place after many years where I feel comfortable with where that is. It isn’t a threat to me or my financial security. It was just a number of poor decisions.”

“On the golf course, it’s creating competition. But it’s the anxiety, the other things that come across with gambling off the course and addiction off the course that I really needed to address,” he said.

Take the interview as you feel but, whatever the thoughts and opinions on the the Mickelson myth, it is good to hear from the man himself.

No doubt plenty are eager to hear the press conferences throughout the LIV event this week in London.

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19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

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On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

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A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

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Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

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While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

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Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

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While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

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