Phil Mickelson Dragged Into Insider Trading Investigation by FBI

A federal probe was under way today into possible insider trading somehow involving professional golf Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson, though the San Diego native denies any wrongdoing.

The five-time major champion is being investigated by the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to reports in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

Sources told the Journal they're investigating whether over the past three years investor Carl Icahn may have given tips to well-known Vegas gambler and golf course owner William T. Walters, who on at least one occasion may have passed on information to Mickelson.

A lawyer for Mickelson initially denied to the Journal that the golfer was involved.

"Phil is not the target of any investigation. Period," said the lawyer, Glenn Cohen.

But on Saturday, Mickelson confirmed to reporters that investigators had approached him last week. He said he was not going to let the probe distract him from his preparations for the upcoming U.S. Open because he has done "absolutely nothing wrong."

Mickelson has won three Masters championships, a PGA Championship and an Open Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May 2012.

—City News Service