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19th Hole

Biographer claims this is the shock real reason why Mickelson and caddie Bones split

Published

2 years ago

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According to an upcoming biography, Phil Mickelson lost an astounding $40 million gambling between 2010 and 2014.

Later this month, the biography called  “Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar” will be released. The biography is written by Alan Shipnuck and will chronicle many of Mickelson’s financial escapades.

The biography will also include an analysis of  documents that were compiled when government auditors conducted an investigation into Mickelson’s finances during the time he was entangled in an insider trading case involving professional gambler Billy Walters. In the case, Mickelson wasn’t accused of wrongdoing but was ordered to pay back a portion of his stock gains based on a tip he recieved from Walters who was sentenced to five years in prison,

Shipnuck concluded that during those years, Phil lost most or all of his yearly earnings gambling.

“In those prime earning years, his income was estimated to be just north of $40 million a year,” Shipnuck wrote. “That’s an obscene amount of money, but once he paid his taxes (including the California tariffs he publicly railed against), he was left with, what, low-20s? Then he had to cover his plane and mansion(s), plus his agent, caddie, pilots, chef, personal trainer, swing coaches and sundry others.

“Throw in all the other expenses of a big life — like an actual T. Rex skull for a birthday present — and that leaves, what, $10 million? Per the government audit, that’s roughly how much Mickelson averaged in annual gambling losses. (And we don’t know what we don’t know.) In other words, it’s quite possible he was barely breaking even, or maybe even in the red. And Mickelson’s income dropped considerably during his winless years from 2014 to ’17.”

Another fascinating tidbit of information Shipnuck offers is the reasoning for Phil’s split with his longtime caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay in 2017. The author states that disputes over hundreds of thousands of dollars that Mickelson owed Mackay were at the heart of the separation.

In an excerpt of the book recently published at the Fire Pit Collective, Shipnuck writes:

“Bones had fired Phil at the ’17 Memorial, over a series of simmering grievances, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in overdue back pay.”

Shipnuck also speculates that the “real motivation” behind Mickelson’s involvement in the LIV Golf Series was the amount of money that Phil could make by joining, considering his finances from all of the gambling losses.

Mickelson has been of the grid since the controversy regarding his involvement with the Saudi backed golf league, and it’s unclear whether or not he will attempt to defend his title at the PGA Championship later this month.

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19th Hole

LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you

Published

21 hours ago

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Apr 26, 2024

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On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.

“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350 

  • Food: $377 
  • Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé 
  • Hotel: $0 because  @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!  
  • Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car  
  • Gas: $165 
  • Entry Fee: $130 
  • Lounge Pass for caddie: $50 
  • Gym: $0 
  • Yardage book: $0 
  • Total expenses: $3672 

Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”

When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.

With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.

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19th Hole

54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV

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2 days ago

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Apr 25, 2024

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After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.

Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.

After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.

“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”

“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.

The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.

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19th Hole

Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open

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2 days ago

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Apr 25, 2024

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As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.

Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.

If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.

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