Phil Mickelson is one of the few controversial players today in golf. The six-time major champion made tons of records playing under the PGA Tour. But he recently left the PGA Tour and joined the rival LIV Golf Invitational Series.

A lot of other players also followed Mickelson in his decision to join the LIV Series. But the golfer has been in the limelight for some of his not so great indulgences. Mickelson recently opened up about his gambling problem and said it was all in the past.

We all know that the LIV Tour pays a lot more than the PGA Tour. But is gambling the reason for Mickelson joining the Saudi-funded league?

Phil Mickelson talks about his gambling problem

Mickelson recently talked about his past where he addressed his habit of gambling and how it had become “reckless and embarrassing” for him.

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He said, “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.”

Mickelson also stated clearly that gambling was reckless for him about a decade ago. He mentioned that he is happy with where he is in his life right now. The golf star also made it clear that gambling is certainly not the reason for him to join the LIV Golf league.

Mickelson also gave credit to his wife Amy for always being supportive of him and getting him out of all the addiction.

“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.” he added.

Gambling accounts in Mickelson’s controversial biography

Alan Shipnuck wrote Mickelson’s biography and recently released it making it to the top of all controversial charts. The golf ace made claims saying that a lot of the content in the book was published without his consent. But a part of the book also contained Mickelson’s accounts of gambling and how much money he actually lost to it.

According to Shipnuck’s writing, the golf star went through more than $40 million in losses via gambling between the years 2010 and 2014. The total amount was discovered through a government audit. Mickelson also split with his old caddie Jim Mackay, when he allegedly failed to payback the man hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Mickelson is a man of rough decisions and has gone through a lot of trouble due to those choices. Only time will tell what the future holds for the golfer.

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