Further Review: Mickelson 1, Feds 0
PINEHURST, N.C. — Six times a runner-up, Phil Mickelson has avoided winning U.S. Opens in myriad ways. The good news is it appears he won’t have to worry about losing this one because federal agents were questioning him on the tee box at 18 on Sunday.
Even as he was launching his first round Thursday he seemed to have already posted a significant victory. A New York Times story that morning reported that Mickelson’s role in alleged insider trading had been “overstated” by authorities looking into the activities of billionaire investor Carl Icahn and sports gambler William Walters.
Investigators approached Mickelson twice about suspicious stock trades, the last time following a round at the Memorial Tournament. Original reports in the Wall Street Journal and the Times tied Mickelson to profitable trades of Clorox and Dean Foods stock, while possibly benefiting from insider information. The Times Thursday reported that contrary to its previous story, Mickelson never bought the Clorox stock.
While still subject to investigation over the Dean Foods purchase, Mickelson may have been overzealously pursued by the authorities, the Times reported.
A passage from Thursday’s account: “The new details, provided in the interviews with the people briefed on the matter, indicate that Mr. Mickelson’s ties to the investigation are weaker than previously reported. The details may also raise questions about the government’s decision to deploy what appear to be unusually aggressive tactics in the investigation, particularly when the FBI agents publicly approached Mr. Mickelson even though he is known to have a lawyer and a sports agent.”
After shooting an even-par 70, Mickelson continued to strongly deny any wrong-doing. And left it pretty much at that.
“I do have a lot to say and I will say it at the right time,” he added.
Oh, and his golf game is in OK shape, even par not a terrible opening Open statement. He seemed mildly pleased, although one important aspect of his game was still lacking.
Putting, he said, “is the last piece.”
“I feel like I have pretty good control of my irons, driving the ball great. I’ve got to make some 15, 20-footers, the ones that can go either way, to shoot a good enough number here…I didn’t make any today, but I’m going to keep working on it.”
Freed from worry that a G-man will jump him from behind a clump of wiregrass, Mickelson may now train his full attentions on the caprices of the putting stroke.
About the Author
Steve Hummer writes sports features and columns for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He covers a wide range of sports and topics.
