Jackson Reid
Phil Mickelson is one of the most successful golfers in history, and he has been married to Amy Mickelson since 1996. The couple first met at Arizona State University in 1992, where Phil was a top golfer and Amy was a cheerleader for the Phoenix Suns basketball team. They have three children together and have supported each other through various challenges, including Amy's battle with breast cancer in 2009 and Phil's gambling addiction. Amy is known for her philanthropic work, particularly in supporting breast cancer awareness and military charities through their non-profit organisation, Birdies for the Brave.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of golfer Phil Mickelson's wife | Amy Mickelson |
| Year of marriage | 1996 |
| Date of marriage | 16 November 1996 |
| Number of children | 3 |
| Names of children | Amanda, Sophia, Evan |
| Amy Mickelson's profession | NBA cheerleader, philanthropist |
| Phil Mickelson's profession | Professional golfer |
| Marital issues | Gambling addiction, controversial comments |
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What You'll Learn
Phil Mickelson and Amy McBride married in 1996
Phil Mickelson and Amy McBride met back in 1992 when they were both students at Arizona State University. At the time, Amy was a cheerleader for the Phoenix Suns basketball team, while Phil was already making a name for himself in golf. Despite Amy knowing nothing about golf, the two hit it off and started dating.
Four years later, on November 16, 1996, Phil and Amy tied the knot. They welcomed their first child, daughter Amanda Brynn, in 1999, followed by daughter Sophia Isabel in 2001, and son Evan Samuel in 2003.
Amy and Phil's marriage has been a constant in the golfer's life, and she has been a fixture at his tournaments, even before they were married. She has also supported him through various controversies and challenges, including his decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, which resulted in his suspension from the PGA Tour.
Amy has faced her own health battles, including a breast cancer diagnosis in 2009, which she survived after treatment and surgery. She has also endured complications during childbirth, with their son Evan's birth being life-threatening for both mother and child.
Despite the challenges, Phil and Amy Mickelson's marriage has endured, and they are still going strong after nearly three decades together.
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Amy Mickelson's career and charitable work
Amy Mickelson, formerly known as Amy McBride, was a member of the Phoenix Suns cheerleading squad while attending Arizona State University, where she met Phil Mickelson in 1992. They married in 1996 and have three children together.
Amy has supported her husband throughout his career. In 2004, the couple founded Birdies for the Brave, a nonprofit initiative to raise funds for combat-wounded veterans and other military charities. The same year, they also launched the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation, a privately-funded organization that supports youth and family initiatives. In 2019, the foundation became the host organization of The American Express PGA Tour event.
Amy has also been involved in charitable work beyond these initiatives. In 2009, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her husband took time away from the PGA Tour to support her. After her recovery, she and Phil continued to support each other through various challenges, including the backlash Phil received for his controversial comments about joining the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf league.
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Phil Mickelson's gambling addiction
Phil Mickelson, one of the most accomplished and recognizable golfers of his generation, has been plagued by a gambling addiction that has often made headlines. Mickelson has been open about his gambling, even writing about it in his autobiography, "Life and Times of a Left-Handed Golfer: An Autobiography."
Mickelson's gambling addiction first came to public attention in 2001 when he admitted to Sports Illustrated that he had gambled away all of his PGA Tour earnings for that year, estimated to be around $1.6 million. He also revealed that he had lost an additional $500,000 that he had borrowed from friends and family. This admission shocked many fans and sponsors, who were unaware of the extent of his gambling problem. In the years that followed, Mickelson reportedly attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings and sought professional help to get his addiction under control.
However, his gambling habits continued to make news. In 2007, it was reported that he had won $50,000 betting on a football game and had also placed bets on other sports, including basketball and baseball. Mickelson has also been known to place large wagers on the golf course, often betting thousands of dollars on the outcome of a single hole or game. In one notable instance, he won $200,000 from Ryder Cup teammate and friend Bryson DeChambeau in a practice round bet.
Despite the negative attention his gambling has attracted, Mickelson has also used his platform to advocate for responsible gaming. In 2018, he was appointed as a brand ambassador for the daily fantasy sports company DraftKings, and he has since promoted responsible gaming practices through this partnership. Mickelson has also invested in various gambling-related businesses, including a sports betting startup called Sporttrade and a daily fantasy sports site called DraftKings.
Mickelson's gambling addiction has had a significant impact on his life and career. While he has achieved tremendous success in golf, winning over 40 PGA Tour events and five major championships, his addiction has cost him financially and has likely impacted his on-course performance at times. Despite the challenges, Mickelson continues to be a prominent figure in golf and remains one of the most well-known and respected players in the game.
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Amy Mickelson's breast cancer diagnosis and recovery
Amy and Phil Mickelson began dating in 1992 while they were both students at Arizona State University. Phil was already an up-and-coming golfer, while Amy was a cheerleader for the Phoenix Suns basketball team. They tied the knot in 1996 and went on to have three children together.
In 2009, Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following the news, Phil took a step back from his PGA Tour schedule to support his wife. Amy underwent major surgery and started treatment, with many people, including golfers and fans, expressing their support for her.
Amy's outgoing and upbeat personality was thought to play a big part in her recovery. She received well-wishes and support from many people, including Sarah Strange, a breast cancer survivor and wife of a former Ryder Cup captain, who said, "She's such an upbeat person, and I think she'll approach this in the same way, moving forward with confidence."
Amy overcame breast cancer after an almost year-long battle. She was present to see her emotional husband win the Masters at Augusta National in 2010. Phil spoke about the emotional moment, saying, "I don't normally shed tears over wins, and when Amy and I hugged off 18, that was a very emotional moment for us and something that I'll look back on and just cherish."
Amy's cancer battle was not the only one the family had to endure that year. Sadly, less than two months after her diagnosis, Phil's mother, Mary Mickelson, was also diagnosed with breast cancer. Both Amy and Mary underwent treatment at MD Anderson, the largest cancer center in the US.
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Phil Mickelson's controversial career decisions
Phil Mickelson, one of the most successful golfers in history, has had a career riddled with controversy. From taking controversial career decisions to making insensitive comments, Mickelson has had his fair share of negative publicity.
One of his most recent controversial decisions was leaving the PGA Tour where he won 45 times, to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League. This move was met with widespread criticism as many believed he was turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses. In fact, Mickelson himself acknowledged the regime's wrongdoings but stated that it presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates. This decision led to his suspension from the PGA Tour and his withdrawal from the Masters Tournament, marking the end of a 25-year streak.
Mickelson's frustration with the fast greens at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills led to another controversial moment in his career. He chased after an 18-foot bogey putt that was likely to roll off the green and hit it before it stopped. While this incident raised eyebrows, he claimed he was merely exploiting the rules. His actions even sent his playing partner, Andrew Johnston, into hysterics.
Mickelson has also been criticized for his comments about Ryder Cup captains. He publicly criticized US captain Hal Sutton after the US Ryder Cup team suffered a defeat in 2004. In 2016, he took things a step further by chastising US Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson while Watson was in the same room.
Additionally, Mickelson's friendship with gambler Billy Walters led to an insider trading scandal. He was fined $1 million plus the profits he made on the trades.
Despite these controversies, Mickelson has had a highly successful golfing career, winning six major championships and spending over 700 weeks in the top ten of the Official Golf World Rankings. He has been married to Amy Mickelson, a former NBA cheerleader for the Phoenix Suns, since 1996, and they have three children together.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, he is married to Amy Mickelson (née McBride).
They got married on 16 November 1996.
They have three children: Amanda, Sophia, and Evan.
Amy Mickelson was an NBA cheerleader for the Phoenix Suns. She is now focused on philanthropic work, including her non-profit organisation, Birdies for the Brave.
Amy Mickelson has not been involved in any major controversies. However, she did receive some criticism in 2014 for her reaction to a golf match in which her husband missed a putt.
