Phil Mickelson's Attorney: Why 'Embarrass' PGA Champion?

Phil Mickelson's attorney questions why a Detroit newspaper wrote a story about the six-time major winner's gambling past.

John Maakaron | Jun 30, 2021

Phil Mickelson has enjoyed plenty of accolades, stemming from his historic victory at the PGA Championship.

At 50 years old, the veteran PGA golfer became the oldest major winner, after shooting a final-round score of 73. He defeated Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen by two strokes to secure the Wanamaker Trophy.

Mickelson is now in Detroit, embarking on his first-ever appearance at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Just ahead of the four-day tournament, The Detroit News published a story regarding an unpaid gambling debt owed to Mickelson and his ties to "one of the biggest gamblers in Detroit history."

Mickelson was not accused of any wrongdoings, but was apparently owed a significant amount of money.

"Dandy" Don DeSeranno, according to a federal court trial transcript, placed a bet or multiple bets on Mickelson's behalf, and then was unable to pay the golfer his winnings. The reported amount was $500,000.

"He didn't say anything (in the story) that wasn't true; I'm not complaining about that,'' Mickelson's attorney Glenn Cohen told ESPN. "But, why? Why are you going to embarrass Phil Mickelson when he's there to support your tournament and the charities it supports and the PGA Tour? Rocket Mortgage is a Detroit-based company. Phil has never played there before.

"I'm disappointed they would curiously pick this week to write an article about a bet that was made over 20 years ago and a jury trial that took place in 2007, where the guy who was convicted is dead and where the only purpose for this article is to embarrass Phil Mickelson.''

mickelson5 — © Junfu Han via Imagn Content Services, LLC

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Published Jun 30, 2021

JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!