Phil Mickelson’s representatives have firmly rejected misconduct allegations published by Skratch Golf, branding the investigation “an anonymously sourced drive-by shooting” designed to generate “a compelling, click-bait narrative over an accurate one.”
The statement, issued to the New York Post on Wednesday, came in response to claims that the six-time major winner was barred from three exclusive California golf clubs due to inappropriate conduct towards women.
Mickelson’s team categorically denied the golfer had ever been forced out of any club.
“Mr Mickelson has never been expelled from a golf club. His membership has never been revoked by a golf club. Those decisions were his alone,” the statement read.
Phil Mickelson has denied the allegations against him
| PA
The Skratch investigation, authored by journalist Alan Shipnuck, alleged Mickelson had been made unwelcome at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, The Madison Club in La Quinta, and The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe.
The report followed earlier claims in Golf Digest that Mickelson’s membership at The Farms had been revoked following allegations of nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with a female employee.
Ashley Perez, formerly married to professional golfer Pat Perez, also told Skratch that Mickelson displayed an explicit photograph of himself to her in 2015 and suggested she visit him after her then-husband had fallen asleep.
Anonymous sources cited in the investigation claimed Mickelson’s wife Amy had played a part in his departures from the clubs.
Mickelson’s representatives contested the account of his interaction with Ashley Perez, maintaining that Skratch’s version omitted crucial details and that the incident arose from a misunderstanding for which he subsequently apologised.
Phil Mickelson has been banned from three golf clubs as a result of the allegations
| GETTY
“Mr Mickelson’s willingness to apologise for his conduct should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him,” the statement added.
The response also highlighted Skratch’s connections to the PGA Tour, the circuit Mickelson departed in 2022 to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league.
While acknowledging these ties did not preclude independent reporting, his team suggested readers should weigh this corporate relationship when assessing an investigation into “one of the most consequential players ever to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.”
Skratch’s editor-in-chief Ben Boskovich defended the publication’s journalism, telling the New York Post that Mickelson, his wife and his lawyer were all offered the chance to comment before the article went to press but chose not to.
“It’s bizarre that [Mickelson’s team] is now challenging our reporting through The New York Post. Skratch Golf stands by its reporting,” Boskovich said.
The 56-year-old American has competed in just one tournament this year, appearing at LIV Golf South Africa in March before stepping away to address what he described as a family health matter.
Mickelson has also withdrawn from this month’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
