Phil Mickelson 'Linked To Illegal Sports Betting'

Five-time major golf winner Phil Mickelson has been linked to an illegal sports betting operation after he transferred $2.75m to a former bet handicapper, it is claimed.

Gregory Silveira, 56, who has pleaded guilty to three counts of laundering funds from an unnamed client between 2010 and 2013, could face up to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced in US District Court.

A draft plea deal agreed last month by Silveira contained a reference to "laundering of funds from P.M.", but that agreement was later amended, ESPN reported.

That client, believed to be Mickelson, is said to have transferred $2.75m to Silveira, who admitted moving the funds through accounts for the purpose of illegal gambling.

The plea agreement said: "At the time, defendant initiated these three transfers with the intent to promote the carrying on of an illegal gambling operation."

Mickelson, 45, is not under investigation and no charges have been filed. He could have faced charges if it was found that he was complicit in the concealment of the money, rather than just transferring it to Silveira.

Last year, he was linked to an insider trading investigation which involved investor Carl Ichan and sports gambler Billy Walters. Mickelson was cleared by the FBI and Security and Exchange Commission, which found no evidence of any wrongdoing.

In 2001, he was reprimanded by PGA tour officials after winning $500 while betting that a player would sink a shot from a bunker at the NEC Invitational.

The left-handed golfer, who has won three US Masters titles, one US PGA Championship and one British Open, makes more than $40m in annual sponsorship deals, according to Forbes magazine.

His publicist has declined to comment.

Betting on sports is illegal in the US, apart from in the state of Nevada.

Silveira will be sentenced on 5 October.