Mickelson lost $5,000 in match to newly-minted Aussie teen pro Ruffels
Phil Mickelson was trying to do a favor for his brother Tim, who is the head men’s golf coach at their alma mater, Arizona State University.
In November 2014, the five-time major winner was trying to help on the recruiting trail, so much so that the left-hander was named an “interim assistant coach.” A particular player of interest was Aussie Ryan Ruffels, the country’s best junior player and, until this week when he turned pro at 17, its top amateur.
Mickelson had already placed an unexpected call to Ruffels to gauge his interest in choosing to play collegiate golf in the U.S., something Ruffels divulged to the Aussie press. When the teen announced he was turning pro this week, he explained the next stop in the story. Apparently, Ruffels came to the U.S. for a visit and, as it turned out, a round with Phil the Thrill himself.
Things got serious on the first tee.
“We get on the first tee, it’s pretty early in the morning and he says, ‘I don’t wake up this early to play for any less than $2,500,'” Ruffels said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
So, they made a bet. Mickelson gave Ruffels 2-to-1 odds on the $2,500 bet. If Ruffels won, Mickelson would pay him $5,000. If Mickelson won, Ruffels would have to cough up $2,500 when he turned pro.
This week, Mickelson wasn’t calling to claim his money.
“I was a few down through nine,” Ruffels said, “but then I birdied six of my last seven to win by one shot and took his money, so that was pretty cool.”
Cool for Ruffels, definitely. Not cool for Mickelson, who not only lost the cash but also lost the recruit.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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