Golfer Phil Mickelson has officially responded to a series of serious allegations, including claims of misconduct at golf clubs and an incident where he allegedly showed a nude photograph of himself to a rival golfer’s wife. Mickelson’s representatives have categorically denied the accusations, characterizing a recent report as containing factual inaccuracies and being based on anonymous sources.
Mickelson’s Representatives Address Expulsion Claims
Reports had suggested that Mickelson was expelled from multiple golf clubs due to misconduct. However, his spokespeople firmly refuted these claims in statements to The New York Post. “Mr. Mickelson has never been expelled from a golf club,” his representatives stated. “His membership has never been revoked by a golf club.” They further clarified that any decisions to leave clubs were entirely Mickelson’s own.
Denial of Nude Photo Allegation
A central accusation detailed in a report by Skratch reporter Alan Shipnuck involved an alleged incident in 2015. Ashley Perez, the former wife of golfer Pat Perez, claimed that Mickelson showed her a naked photograph of himself while the couple shared living space with Mickelson during a tournament in New Jersey. According to the Skratch article, Mickelson also purportedly made suggestive comments to Ms. Perez, indicating he intended to leave his bedroom door open at night and wished to see her after her husband fell asleep.
Mickelson’s representatives addressed this specific allegation, stating that while Mickelson may have offered an apology during a reported 26-minute phone call with the Perez couple, this should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt. “Mr. Mickelson’s willingness to apologize for his conduct should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him,” his spokespeople told The Post. They further described the Skratch report as an “anonymously sourced drive-by shooting” that contained distortions.
Claims of Expulsion from Exclusive Clubs
The Skratch report, citing anonymous sources, also alleged that Mickelson’s alleged misconduct led to his removal from several exclusive California golf clubs, including The Farms, The Madison, and The Bridges. One unnamed woman reportedly told Skratch that Mickelson had propositioned her in graphic detail.
Furthermore, the report suggested that Mickelson’s wife, Amy, played a role in his departures from these clubs, hinting at a strained marital relationship. It was claimed that Mickelson paid club employees and members to drive his phone around courses to prevent his wife from tracking his location.
Response to Claims Involving Wife Amy Mickelson
Mickelson’s representatives strongly denied the claims involving his wife, Amy, calling the accusation “false.” They criticized Shipnuck for including Amy, who is not a public figure, in the report, labeling it “journalistic malpractice” and stating there was “no legitimate journalistic reason to drag her into it.” The representatives reiterated that Amy Mickelson had no involvement in his departures from various clubs.
Accusations of Bias and Corporate Relationships
Adding another layer to the dispute, Mickelson’s representatives accused Skratch of harboring a grudge against their client, stemming from his decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, a rival to the PGA Tour. They pointed out that the PGA Tour holds a minority stake in Skratch, suggesting a potential conflict of interest.
“None of those relationships mean Skratch cannot report independently,” read a statement from Mickelson’s representatives. “They do, however, create a corporate relationship that reasonable readers may consider relevant when evaluating an extensive investigation into Phil Mickelson, one of the most consequential players ever to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.”
Skratch’s Defense of Reporting
In response to Mickelson’s representatives’ statement, Skratch editor-in-chief Ben Boskovich defended the reporting. Boskovich asserted that Shipnuck provided Mickelson and his team ample opportunity to respond to their inquiries before publication. “It’s bizarre that [Mickelson lawyer] Tom Clare is now challenging our reporting through The New York Post,” Boskovich stated. “Skratch Golf stands by its reporting.”
Mickelson’s Recent Golf Schedule and Past Allegations
Mickelson’s withdrawal from the Open Championship preceded the surfacing of the Skratch report, marking the first time in 17 years he would miss the event. Previously, Mickelson had also denied allegations of inappropriate contact with female staff at The Farms Golf Club, which reportedly led to his immediate removal and the revocation of his membership, as reported by Golf Digest in June.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to media outlets that they had investigated potential evidence related to an allegation of sexual assault involving Mickelson and a female employee at The Farms. However, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office stated that no official reports of sexual assault were received, and no evidence of an assault was found. They encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
A spokesperson for Mickelson had previously described the incident at The Farms as a “misunderstanding” and noted that Mickelson was attending to a personal family health matter, making his return to professional golf uncertain.
Conclusion
Phil Mickelson, through his representatives, has denied multiple allegations of misconduct and inappropriate behavior. While a recent report detailed claims of expulsion from golf clubs and a specific incident involving a nude photograph, Mickelson’s team has pushed back, questioning the sourcing and journalistic integrity of the report. The situation remains contentious, with both sides standing by their accounts.
