After a bumpy week, Phil Mickelson focuses on golf

A tumultuous week behind him, Phil Mickelson is turning his attention to the upcoming U.S. Open.

Mickelson planned to spend his off days -- Monday and Tuesday -- at Pinehurst, where he’ll dial in the course and work on his game.

“I need to putt a little bit better from 15 feet,” he said. “I need to make some more of those.”

A final round 73 left him in a tie for 49th place at the Memorial Tournament over the weekend. And that wasn’t the worst news.

Reports in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times have linked him to an insider trading investigation by the FBI and Securities and Exchange Commission. Authorities want to know if the golfer and Las Vegas gambler William “Billy” Walters conducted transactions based on improper information from Carl Icahn about his investments in a publicly traded company.

Federal agents reportedly approached Mickelson in recent days, but he referred them to his attorney. Faced with repeated questions from the media, Mickelson has denied any wrongdoing.

The lefthander was more interested in talking about golf on Sunday. After his early week sessions in North Carolina, he will play the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, which begins on Thursday.

“Next week is when I have to put it together and play well,” he said. “If I can play well, get in contention, it will give me some momentum for the Open.”

The Open is scheduled for June 12-15 at Pinehurst.