Phil Mickelson Comments on Being Linked to Money Laundering Investigation

Phil Mickelson declined an opportunity to provide further information about his name being linked to an illegal gambling operation Tuesday ahead of the Scottish Open, a warm-up event for the British Open.

Last week, Mike Fish and David Purdum of Outside the Lines reported that $2.75 million of Mickelson's money was connected to Gregory Silveira, who pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering. The golfer hasn't been charged and isn't currently under federal investigation.

Mickelson didn't give much insight in his press conference, instead providing a vague answer about the situation, as noted by ESPN.

"People are going to say things good; they are going to say things bad; they are going to say things true; they are going to say things not true," Mickelson said. "The fact is I'm comfortable enough with who I am as a person that I don't feel like I need to comment on every little report that comes out."

The Outside the Lines report notes the 45-year-old American is not named in the court documents, but sources confirmed to OTL that he's the unnamed "gambling client" who transferred money to Silveira. It's unclear what caused the initial investigation into the operation.

It's the second time Mickelson has been linked to a high-profile financial case over the past few years. Last June, he was linked to an insider-trading probe, but Sydney Ember of the New York Times stated his ties were "weaker than previously reported."

Nevertheless, the headlines are starting to impact what was a previously squeaky-clean image. The fact remains, however, that Mickelson hasn't been charged with anything, and his comments make it clear he doesn't believe there's reason to talk more about the situation publicly.

He's had a mediocre season on the course, with no wins and just three top-10 finishes in 13 starts. He'll look to put those struggles and the financial question marks behind him with strong play over the next two weeks at the Scottish and British Opens.