News

Mickelson rips 17-year-old for revealing wager amount

Published

10 years ago

Jan 29, 2016

By now, you’ve probably heard Phil Mickelson offer his take on the Ryan Ruffels story of a gentlemanly wager between the veteran and budding pro.

To recap, Ruffles told the Sydney Morning Herald:

“We get on the first tee, it’s pretty early in the morning and he says, ‘I don’t wake up this early to play for any less than $2500’,” Ruffels recalled of a friendly offer made to him by Mickelson.

The 42-time U.S. PGA Tour winner gave Ruffels 2-1 odds; if Ruffels won, Mickelson would give him $5000, if he lost, Ruffels would have to pay up $2500 when he turned professional.

“I was a few down through nine but then I birdied six of my last seven to win by one shot and took his money, so that was pretty cool,” Ruffels said with a laugh.

And while he backpedaled after the story hit the press, Phil Mickelson was none too happy with the 17-year-old’s loose lips, stating the wager amount had been exaggerated, and adding:

“He’s got some things to learn. One of them is you don’t discuss certain things. You don’t discuss specifics of what you play for. And you certainly don’t embellish and create a false amount just for your own benefit. So those things right there are — that’s high school stuff, and he’s going to have to stop doing that now that he’s out on the PGA Tour.”

Discussing the situation, Trent from Barstool Sports hits the nail on the head:

You pretty much never hear pro golfers discuss how much money they’re playing each other for. Do we wanna know? Of course we do. That’s part of the appeal. Hearing about rich people throwing their money around like it’s nothing always makes for a good story. But that doesn’t mean you go running your mouth to the media about how you took Lefty for four figures. Big no no. Gentlemen’s game means gentlemen’s agreements. You especially shouldn’t flap your gums like that when you indulge how much you actually won off the guy. All sorts of bad ideas from young Ryan Ruffels.

However, in the pantheon of gentlemanly conduct, isn’t there something about not talking about money in general? Or at the very least, not disclosing the ludicrous amount of cash you’re carrying, as Mickelson has done multiple times, most recently telling Golf Digest that he had $8,100 in his pocket.

So, for Mickelson, it’s OK that stories of your gambling are tour legend, just as long as the amounts wagered aren’t public knowledge? Shane Ryan wrote an article for ESPN last year titled “Money Matches with Phil Mickelson,” for goodness sake, detailing Phil’s Tuesday cash games.

Mickelson, as emissary of the tour’s unwritten rules, takes issue with Ruffles for discussing the amount of a wager (and seemingly embellishing that amount). And while from the tour pro’s conduct standpoint, he’s absolutely right that Ruffles talked about something that isn’t talked about, isn’t it somewhat odd and incongruent that stories of cash and gambling are so prevalent (especially involving Mickelson)?

Or am I missing something?

Related Topics:

Up Next

Brian Smock WITB 2016

Don't Miss

Bridgestone introduces JGR driver, Snedeker immediately puts it in play

Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

33 Comments

Fran

Jul 25, 2020 at 9:23 am

This is Mr Smith. IRS agent. The bureau would like to sit with you and mr Nickolson to discuss reportable gambling winnings.

Reply Report comment
- BW
  
  Aug 6, 2020 at 3:57 am
  
  Why is Phil mad? It’s because he almost went to jail for insider trading. Why did he engage in insider trading? He owed his bookie money and “for example, according to a sworn statement by Mickelson’s business manager, on Sept. 19, 2012, Michelson paid Walters $1,950,000 to cover a debt ‘related to sports gambling.'” (from GolfDigest).
  So why would Phil risk everything for an insider trade that earned him $930,000 when he is worth hundreds of millions? Your guess is as good as mine, but he got off without going to jail (because he ratted out the bookie)–and I imagine the PGA told him “no more gambling.” So now a 17 year old tells the world that Phil is still gambling…and now you know why Phil may be angry…
  
  Reply Report comment
Dave

Jul 19, 2016 at 12:05 pm

Really this story is what CNN would post and talk about it all day. Goofy

Reply Report comment
Busterpar

Feb 3, 2016 at 10:27 am

Typical Figjam. Take the kid aside in private and talk to him in a classy manner…..but then there is no cameras around to capture that smarmy public grin.

Reply Report comment
Benny

Feb 2, 2016 at 7:23 pm

While we all agree if we had the cash Lefty does we would most likely all make bets like this. The issue is Phil made a dumb bet here. The kid is 17, what did he expect, that the kid was gonna keep his mouth shut and there is some code of honor when the kid was just in highschool weeks ago? Seriously Phil, use your brain. You wouldn’t buy a 17 yr old booze, you wouldn’t sleep with a 17yr old girl, you certainly don’t bring a 17yr old to a bar or casino so why in the world would you bet a 17yr that amount of cash and act like a prick about it when he blabs the story. Its a friggen kid guys, for real. Who cares what you “would” or “should” have done, he is a kid and Phil showed his ignorance. Even if the kid lied about the amounts (which we know wasn’t a lie).

Reply Report comment
- mc3jack
  
  Feb 6, 2016 at 2:07 pm
  
  Nailed it. Part of the wager was . . . “and I’m a 17 year old kid who’s gonna crow if you lose, FIGJAM.”
  
  Think anybody kept their mouth shut back in the day when pros like Hagen and everybody else made their living gambling against local Joes?
  
  What a douche.
  
  Reply Report comment
Other Paul

Feb 1, 2016 at 10:03 pm

Pretty sure if i beat “The lefty” then this lefty would be very ungentleman like and posted it to facebook.
But i probably wouldn’t have mentioned any money. I think the moral of the story is to never bet a cash amount but always a % of taxable income.

Reply Report comment
Johny Thunder

Feb 1, 2016 at 8:14 pm

I hope some of you are joking – about Phil’s gambling and needing a gun and bodyguard for his wallet. According to Forbes, Phil made $51 million in 2015.

The math is easy – if Phil loses $5000 gambling, that’s the equivalent to a person earning $100k/yr losing $10.

The correct answer is: discussing “money” is something that “gentlemen” do frequently. “Money”, though, more in the abstract. Discussing specific amounts like that is considered impolite. You’ll notice the announcers will say “xxx won a few dollars of xxx in the practice round”, where a few dollars could be over $10k.

Reply Report comment
Vito

Feb 1, 2016 at 6:18 pm

Calling a 17 year old out in the media is not exactly gentlemanly. Let’s call a spade a spade. Phil has some growing up to do himself.

Reply Report comment
ShankN3Jack

Feb 1, 2016 at 10:24 am

The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club.

Reply Report comment
Bob

Feb 1, 2016 at 9:39 am

Shady middle aged golf shark challenges teenagers to money games cries foul after they beat him.

Reply Report comment
Jeff*

Jan 31, 2016 at 4:19 pm

I have to say, first article that makes me feel old. There’s a clear generation understanding gap going on here. If you don’t see why Phil wasn’t pleased, you’re a child. If you sided with Phil, grown-up. Uh-oh, that’s gonna be trouble.

Reply Report comment
Jeff*

Jan 31, 2016 at 4:17 pm

All the Mickelson hate doesn’t change the fact that you just can’t buy cool, can’t buy class or “it.” I don’t read the same things in these articles most of you seem to anyway. If I won some money of a legend of the game, you’d simply never, ever hear me confirm or deny it. Let everyone else guess the numbers. The kid should have said, “I just played a round of golf with Phil Mickelson.” The money was Phils way of making him feel included, like a member of the club, and the kid blew it.

I would wager that all the Phil backlash comes from Ryan Ruffles aged kids who simply have no idea what he did wrong. You don’t have to exclude folks to have class. Like I was saying, it just can’t be taught. I guarantee Jordan Split never had the problem with keeping his mouth shut around the big boys.

Reply Report comment
ooffa

Jan 31, 2016 at 2:46 pm

Phil = degenerate gambler

Reply Report comment
moses

Jan 31, 2016 at 2:10 am

Poor form on the kid to reveal the bet amount etc but hey he’s 17. How mature were we at 17?
Really poor form on Phil betting $5000 with a minor.

Reply Report comment
- jakeanderson
  
  Jan 31, 2016 at 5:15 pm
  
  no. very poor behavior from mickleson. first he forces a wager upon a kid (is it even legal?), then the kid wins, tells the story and mickelson rips him? i say that shows what mickelsons values are.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Shawn M
  
  Sep 16, 2020 at 9:03 am
  
  Totally agree
  
  Reply Report comment
jakeanderson

Jan 30, 2016 at 5:56 am

very poor form from phickleson. first he takes a gamble and then he feels embarassed by it. boo!

Reply Report comment
christian

Jan 30, 2016 at 5:18 am

Isn’t gambling wholly un-gentlemanly in the first place?

Reply Report comment
K

Jan 30, 2016 at 2:31 am

Not a big deal. Good story, and Phil saying this is the worst thing he could have done. People make bets. Casino’s exist because of it.

Secondly, the amount? Not major. I played with a couple members who had $5000 presses going on.

Phil, if someone tells a story about you. Dear god, go with it.

Reply Report comment
Double Mocha Man

Jan 29, 2016 at 11:33 pm

If Phil is carrying $8000 cash I hope he’s also carrying a pistol and/or has a bodyguard.

Reply Report comment
Cares

Jan 29, 2016 at 10:28 pm

Ben,
I’ve ripped your articles before…but this was a good one. Keep up the good work

Reply Report comment
Lob Wege

Jan 29, 2016 at 7:57 pm

Another great rip off article. C’mon GolfWRX!

Reply Report comment
- MarkB A
  
  Jan 31, 2016 at 9:19 pm
  
  Typical Ben stuff.
  
  Reply Report comment
alexdub

Jan 29, 2016 at 2:31 pm

Good on Phil. I like that he took the time to educate the youngster. Once bitten, twice shy; right? Every tour player—Woods and Phil included—had to go through the learning process.

I don’t see the position he took as contradictory. Remember, cash gambling between individuals is against the law. From a legal stand point, saying ‘I have XXXX amount of money on me’, or, ‘I play cash games on Tuesdays’ is far different that saying ‘I played for $5k against this person on this day.’

Reply Report comment
Mike

Jan 29, 2016 at 2:01 pm

“Gentlemen’s game means gentlemen’s agreements.” Weird, wasn’t he was almost banned from Augusta National for not paying up on a bet to a member? Wonder where that falls in the “gentlemen’s rules”?

Reply Report comment
- Nick
  
  Feb 8, 2016 at 1:54 pm
  
  He was. My favorite Phil story of them all.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Yikes
  
  Sep 22, 2020 at 10:45 am
  
  Wasn’t that Augusta story an April Fool’s hoax?: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/phil-mickelson/
  
  Reply Report comment
Keith

Jan 29, 2016 at 1:21 pm

Kid has a lot to learn about the PGA tour, and of all people to have loose lips about it is Phil. He’s notorious for money matches, I’ve even heard stories of him making bets during tournament rounds with other pros. The thing is that they all do it, for them its like an average guy playing a 5 dollar Nassau but the kid needs to be hush about it. As far as amount bet on that round Phil is probably the one downplaying it he definitely won’t show up for less then 2500 lol

Reply Report comment
Matt

Jan 29, 2016 at 11:53 am

Doesn’t surprise me, Lefty’s had a gambling problem for years.

Reply Report comment
- Jay
  
  Jan 30, 2016 at 7:28 pm
  
  It’s not a problem if you’re worth millions. $5000 is loose change to him
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mike
    
    Feb 8, 2016 at 1:56 pm
    
    What about the money laundering charges? Probably not related, I guess.
    
    Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open

Published

2 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX Tour Photographer made the trip from the Memorial Tournament across the country to the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. Check out links to all the photos below!

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

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

Pullout Albums

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

3 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

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