Phil Mickelson is flatly rejecting allegations published by Skratch Golf, which claimed the veteran golfer was expelled from three golf clubs due to inappropriate conduct with women and that he showed a nude photo of himself to another woman.
A statement released by Mickelson’s representatives to The New York Post on Wednesday characterized the Skratch article as an “anonymously sourced drive-by shooting” designed to craft “a compelling, click-bait narrative over an accurate one.”
The controversy began last month when Golf Digest reported that Mickelson had his membership terminated at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, following allegations of unwanted and inappropriate physical contact with a female employee at the club.
Skratch then expanded on that report, claiming Mickelson is also no longer permitted at The Madison Club in La Quinta, California, or at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe. Anonymous sources cited by Skratch suggested that Phil’s wife, Amy Mickelson, played a role in his removal from those clubs.
Ashley Perez, the former wife of professional golfer Pat Perez, told Skratch that in 2015, Mickelson showed her a nude photograph of himself and suggested she come visit him after her then-husband had fallen asleep.
Mickelson’s team strongly disputed the claims in their statement: “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 His membership has never been revoked by a golf club.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 also addressed the incident involving Ashley Perez, saying the Skratch article misrepresented what took place. It added, “Mr. Mickelson’s willingness to apologize for his conduct should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him.”
Mickelson’s representatives also raised questions about Skratch’s ties to the PGA Tour — the organization Mickelson departed in 2022 to join the upstart LIV Golf circuit. The statement read, “None of those relationships mean Skratch cannot report independently. 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 editor in chief, Ben Boskovich, told The Post that Mickelson and his team were offered a chance to respond to the allegations before publication but chose not to. Boskovich said, “It’s bizarre that (Mickelson’s team) is now challenging our reporting through The New York Post. Skratch Golf stands by its reporting.”
Mickelson, 56, is one of golf’s most decorated players, having won the Masters in 2004, 2006, and 2010; the PGA Championship in 2005 and 2021; and the Open Championship in 2013. He recorded 45 victories during his career on the PGA Tour.
