‘I don’t know if there’s ever been a more disappointing figure in golf than Phil Mickelson’
Former US Ryder Cup captain and PGA champion Lanny Wadkins didn’t mix his words when talking about Phil Mickelson…
The punches keep rolling for Phil Mickelson after the week it was claimed he wanted to bet on the 2012 Ryder Cup.
His former gambling partner Billy Walters wrote this eye-opening detail of Mickelson’s gambling addiction which the six-time major champion has since denied.
Fresh scrutiny has now come his way from former US Ryder Cup captain Lanny Wadkins who doubts if there’s ever been a more “disappointing figure in golf.”
“Very disconcerting, without question,” Wadkins said to Golf Today of Mickelson’s alleged intended wager.
“I don’t know if there’s ever been a more disappointing figure in golf than Phil Mickelson, seeing what’s transpired with him over the last 10-plus years.
“He was a beloved figure for a long time and we all marvelled at the way he could play, but just nothing looks kosher about what he’s doing these days.
“He’s blown the chance to probably be Ryder Cup captain ever. I think he would probably have been a two-time captain, but now he’s not going to be involved.
“It’s really kind of a shame. He’s just self-imploded and it looks like he continues to at every turn. It’s disappointing and sad.
“It’s sad that we have people in our game who think they’re bigger than the game. Obviously, Phil thinks he’s bigger.”
What else did Lanny Wadkins say?
Wadkins led Team USA in 1995 when Mickelson made his Ryder Cup debut, but the 53-year-old said he was now “detached” from the event at LIV Golf Bedminster.
This detachment stemmed from his move to the LIV Golf League which offers $20 million purses at each event – a payout now emulated by some events on the PGA Tour.
Wadkins’ former Ryder Cup teammate Hal Sutton also appeared on Golf Today last week where he said “I see a lot of greed” when it comes to professional golf.
The 1977 PGA champion echoed this sentiment:
“I totally agree with Hal – I saw his interview and texted Hal after his interview and I said ‘Great job man, you hit it right on the nose’.
“I don’t understand why the tour, for example, had to jump purses to the amount they did this year – it put themselves in a position that was uncomfortable, wanting $20 million purses.
“These guys wouldn’t have been getting up and playing for $10, $15 million? I mean come on, it’s a little disappointing. It really is, I don’t know where that mindset is coming from, it’s a little unsettling to a lot of us who have been around the game for a long time.
What do you make the the Lanny Wadkins Phil Mickelson Ryder Cup comments? Let us know here!
Read more: Is Lucas Glover a Ryder Cup certainty for Team USA?
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
