Good news for Mickelson

The New York Times did an unusual mea culpa today (June 11), admitting that sources who told the paper that local golfing star Phil Mickelson had possibly traded illegally in shares of Clorox have acknowledged making a mistake. Mickelson did not trade in Clorox as billionaire Carl Icahn was attempting a takeover, the Times now says. Icahn and William Walters, a noted golfer/gambler, remain under investigation by the FBI and Securities and Exchange Commission, says the Times.

Mickelson and Walters still face investigation over separate well-timed trades in Dean Foods, says the publication. Walters raked in $15 million and Mickelson $1 million in these trades, a person briefed on the investigation told the Times. An FBI agent allegedly told Mickelson that the agency is seeking information from him about Walters but has no plans to charge the golfer with crimimal offenses. Mickelson has denied any wrongdoing.

SBNation, meanwhile, is reporting that Mickelson is off to a "solid start" this morning at the U.S. Open being held in Pinehurst, North Carolina.