Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson's betting has drawn a lot of attention. However, this story from The Action Network's Jason Sobel edges out the rest. 

Back in 2013, during the Wells Fargo Championship. Mickelson had hosted a Saturday night get-together where Sobel was invited. That night, he witnessed a gambling masterclass.

“Before sitting down, he offered a foreboding decree. ‘Oh, and one more thing,’ he said through that sly smile of his. ‘Wagering is encouraged," Sobel recalled Mickelson's opening remarks.

Mickelson had set up NBA and NHL games, but the night's centerpiece was the Mayweather-Guerrero fight. The card's second fight was part of Mickelson’s strategy.

“You know,’ he said, as if the idea had just suddenly percolated in his mind, ‘I’m sort of liking this young kid. If anyone wants the favorite, I’ll take that bet at even money,” added The Action Network's Sobel.

The second fight was between Alexander Munoz, who, as Mickelson pointed out, had 28 knockouts among his 36 career victories.

On the other hand, his opponent, Leo Santa Cruz, was inexperienced, as per Lefty. However, he didn't reveal that the young kid had a 5-0 record in 2012.

Mickelson framed the narrative exactly as he wanted. The 50 guests, including Sobel, thought it was easy money.

The former World No.2 had outmastered the entire group. Cruz TKOed Munoz, and Mickelson got the better of everyone who went against him.

“I’m really sorry about that,’ he said to one guy. ‘Man, I just got lucky,’ he said to another. That sly smile never left his face,” Sobel wrote about Mickelson collecting the bet money. 

Mickelson’s thanked Sobel as he plucked the $100 cash from his hand. He had secured the money he spent that night hosting.

Amidst all that, Mickelson was competing at the Wells Fargo Championship.

Phil Mickelson's 2013 Wells Fargo Championship performance

After 56 holes, Phil Mickelson was tied with Nick Watney. However, the Lefty wasn’t expecting the final round to be played.

“He was tied with Nick Watney at the time and proceeded to explain that he thought the impending morning storm would wash out the final round, leaving the two of them to play a late-afternoon playoff on a par-3 hole,” wrote Sobel.

It did storm the next day but not enough to wipe off the round. Mickelson, who had carded rounds of 68, 67 and 73 earlier, registered two birdies on Sunday.

However, they were countered by his three bogeys, which left him with a round score of 1-over 73.

Overall, he finished 7-under, a stroke off the playoff between Derek Ernst and David Lynn, both scoring 70 in the closing round.

In the end, it was Ernst who came out on top.

What are your thoughts on Mickelson’s gambling incident? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi