PHIL MICKELSON suffered huge gambling losses of around $40million over a four-year period, according to a bombshell new biography.
The US golf star, 51, is currently on a self-imposed sabbatical from the game and in April missed his first Masters tournament in 28 years.
Mickelson was slammed for comments he made about the Saudi Golf League, which saw him take a break from golf after issuing a groveling apology.
Now a new book has examined the finances of the six-time Major winner, who won his last big gong at the PGA Championship in 2021.
Written by former Sports Illustrated golf journalist lan Shipnuck, it alleges Mickelson lost a whopping $40m gambling between 2010 and 2014.
Shipnuck estimates that the golfer was making north of this amount each year at that stage of his illustrious career.
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But he believes that despite huge earnings from tournament wins and sponsorship deals, Mickelson's finances could well have been in the red.
Writing in his book 'Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar', Shipnuck said: "Mickelson’s love of gambling is fundamental to understanding his style of play as a golfer.
"It might also explain the Saudi seduction.
"In those prime earning years, his income was estimated to be just north of $40 million a year.
"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?
'THE T-REX SKULL WAS A GIFT'
"Then he had to cover his plane and mansions, 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."
Mickelson's love of the high life is well documented, with a net worth of around $400m as of 2022 and a hefty real estate portfolio.
That includes a plot in the exclusive town of Jupiter, Florida where his neighbors are Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson.
Mickelson also owns a stunning $42m Gulfstream private jet and even has his own pilot's license.
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More like a flying house than a jet, the aircraft features bedrooms, entertainment spaces, two bathrooms, and an extended room to accommodate the 6ft3 star upright.
But arguably his most outlandish possession is a T-Rex skull, received in 2008 as a birthday gift from wife Amy.
Phil told Golf Digest in 2009: "That was my birthday present from Amy.
"It's the coolest thing I've ever gotten. My kids and I sometimes will just sit in my office and talk about what the world was like 68 million years ago.
"I don't know [what it's worth]. We've had four or five people bid on it, but it's not for sale.
"Talk about giving something to the man who has everything."
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Mickelson was spotted practicing his game last week after reports indicated Lefty would defend his title at the PGA Championship later this month.
His agent Steve Loy said in a statement: "Phil currently has no concrete plans on when and where he will play.
"Any actions taken are in no way a reflection of a final decision made, but rather to keep all options open."
'Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar' is published by Simon & Schuster and will be released on May 17.
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