Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has refuted allegations of misconduct detailed in an investigation by golf publication Skratch. His representatives have described the report as an "anonymously sourced drive-by shooting," denying claims that Mickelson is no longer welcome at three California golf clubs due to inappropriate behavior toward women.
The Skratch investigation, authored by journalist Alan Shipnuck, included a claim from Ashley Perez, the ex-wife of PGA Tour player Pat Perez. Perez alleged that Mickelson showed her an explicit photograph of himself in 2015 and propositioned her.
Mickelson's representatives issued a statement addressing the Skratch claims, asserting that the account of the Perez photograph incident lacked crucial detail and suggested a misunderstanding for which Mickelson later apologized. The statement emphasized that "Mr Mickelson's willingness to apologize for his conduct should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him."
Regarding the assertions that he was asked to leave golf clubs, the statement clarified, "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 His membership has never been revoked by a golf club.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."
This recent investigation follows a previous instance where Mickelson departed a prominent California golf club amid allegations of inappropriate contact with a female employee, which he also denied at the time.