The sports world reacted with shock Thursday to news about Phil Mickelson’s alleged gambling habit.
PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy reacted with the ultimate one-liner.
In case you missed the revelations about Mickelson’s alleged secret life, sports gambler Billy Walters alleges in his new book, Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk that Mickelson has bet more than $1 billion on sports events. Walters claimed Mickelson has lost close to $100 million.
The book also alleges that Mickelson tried to bet on a Ryder Cup competition in which he was playing.
Mark Giannotto of the Memphis Commercial Appeal asked four-time majors winner McIlroy his thoughts on the news about Mickelson.
McIlroy unleashed an epic barb.
“The talk of the golf world is this book that came out about Phil Mickelson,” Giannotto said to McIlroy. “I’m curious what your reaction was … when you read it.”
“At least he can bet on the Ryder Cup this year because he won’t be part of it,” McIlroy said.
Rory from the absolute toppest of ropes!
(as asked by @mgiannotto) pic.twitter.com/3vRmFP3sEO
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) August 10, 2023
That takedown is the equivalent of holing out a 3-iron. At The Masters. In the final round. Making the barb even more pointed is the fact that McIlroy was named to the European Ryder Cup team Wednesday.
McIlroy, of course, has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf. Mickelson has been one of the most prominent faces of that tour, and he and McIlroy have traded insults on Twitter and in the media the past year.
It’s a good bet Mickelson will find a way to respond.