Phil Mickelson furiously defends ‘drive-by shooting’ allegations and slams ‘click-bait’ report

Golf great Phil Mickelson has denied allegations of misconduct, insisting he’s been the victim of an ‘anonymously sourced drive-by shooting’.

In a statement given to the New York Post, the six-time major winner refuted claims which appeared in an article by golf writer Alan Shipnuck for Skratch last week.

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One such claim was made by Ashley Perez, the ex-wife of pro golfer Pat Perez. She alleged that Mickelson had showed her a nude photo of himself in 2015.

The same article also referenced a report form last month that Mickelson was no longer welcome at the Farms Golf Club near San Diego after a female employee accused him of ‘inappropriate contact’ this spring.

Mickelson ‘never expelled’

However, Mickelson’s representatives stated: “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 His membership has never been revoked by a golf club.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 56-year-old has previously denied the allegations, with his attorney saying there was video evidence to back him up.

Moreover, Mickelson’s statement called out Skratch for its connections to the PGA Tour – of which Mickelson was a prominent member before defecting to the Saudi-owned LIV Golf, where he had been thoroughly enjoying himself.

“I’m having so much fun out here,” he told fans in a social media post back in January.

“I love playing out here on LIV. I love being with the guys… I could not be happier out here.”

Mickelson announced in April that he would be taking a break from golf due to a ‘personal health matter’.

Skratch was previously owned by the PGA Tour. The statement acknowledged that while that didn’t prevent the outlet from reporting independently, it had a responsibility to disclose the relationship to readers.

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Mickelson’s team said: “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.”

The statement concluded: “Credibility is not earned by publishing the most provocative narrative.

“It is earned through transparency, verification, and a clear distinction between fact, inference, and speculation.”

A ‘bizarre’ challenge

But Skratch did not back down, with editor-in-chief Ben Boskovich responding: “It’s bizarre that [Mickelson’s lawyer] Tom Clare is now challenging our reporting through The New York Post.

“Skratch Golf stands by its reporting.”

Mickelson plays in LIV Golf alongside other big names such as Spain’s Jon Rahm and England’s Tyrrell Hatton.

His last major triumph came as he won his second PGA Championship five years ago.