Re: Phil Ivey Gossip
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I really don't know (haven't played enough golf), but it seems that people are asserting that it is grounds for not paying up. Again, I think it depends on the context of the gambling and the friendships of the players.
I do think that if someone lies about his handicap, then refuses to renegotiate when you become aware of it, he ain't yo friend.
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Shaniac,
You say you don't know much about gambling in golf, and that's fair enough. Typically, however, if you are engaged in a match with a player to whom you've given strokes, and it becomes apparent after a few holes that the spot was overly generous (this happens for numerous reasons, not all of them as the result of "sandbagging"), then an adjustment is generally made, usually after 9 holes. This adjustment is intended to reduce the effectiveness of the sandbagging ploy.
As to whether or not a negotation of this nature ever occured -- as you've said, we will likely never know the unvarnished truth of the situation, since the OP is a standard piece of hearsay. What seems clear, however, is if an aggrieved player storms off the course after 7 holes, he forfeits his right to any such relief.
Should the winning player refuse to agree to such an adjustment when requested, then the bet can certainly be cancelled going forward -- but refusing to pay up existing debt is simply not an option. Otherwise, one treats perceived dishonor with actual dishonor.
As to what "a friend" would or would not do, here's what I gleaned from the OP: Mr. Goodwin appears to be some kind of celebrity-sniffing sycophant that considered himself Ivey's "friend" primarily because Goodwin had been taking Phil down for serious cash on the golf course. There's at least a reasonable chance that Phil realized the extent of their "friendship", and treated Goodwin accordingly.
BTW, since I can speak directly to you via this forum, let me say that you author one of the most literate pro player blogs I've thus far encountered. Congrats and keep up the fine work.
No, I don't want to borrow money from you.
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