(Reuters) - Professional golfer Phil Mickelson said on Thursday he has agreed to return gains he made in 2012 from trading in Dean Foods Co (N:DF) stock and said he felt "vindicated" that U.S. authorities have not charged him with violating securities laws.
In a statement via his attorney, Mickelson said he had no desire to benefit from any transaction that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission viewed as questionable and that he takes "full responsibility" for having become part of the probe.
Mickelson, who has won three Masters golf titles, said he appreciates that the companies he represents have decided to continue their sponsorship agreements with him, and he is pleased the matter is over, according to the statement.
The golfer said he will have no further comment.
Mickelson was not criminally charged, but was named as a relief defendant in a civil lawsuit by the SEC. A relief defendant is not accused of wrongdoing but has received ill-gotten gains as a result of others' illegal acts.