Phil Mickelson fires back at explosive golf club ban claims

Phil Mickelson has forcefully denied allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women after a report claimed he was no longer welcome at several exclusive golf clubs.

In a statement issued Wednesday to the New York Post, representatives for the six-time major champion dismissed the allegations published by Skratch Golf as an “anonymously sourced drive-by shooting” designed to create “a compelling, click-bait narrative over an accurate one.”

The denial follows a Skratch Golf investigation alleging that Mickelson was barred from three California golf clubs for his conduct. The report also cited claims from Ashley Perez, the former wife of golfer Pat Perez, who alleged Mickelson showed her a nude photo of himself in 2015 and suggested she visit him after her husband had gone to sleep.

The allegations came weeks after Golf Digest reported that Mickelson’s membership at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe had been revoked over alleged nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with a female club employee.

Skratch also reported, citing anonymous sources, that Mickelson is no longer welcome at The Madison Club in La Quinta and The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, and alleged his wife, Amy Mickelson, played a role in the decisions.

Mickelson’s representatives denied the claims, saying, “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 His membership has never been revoked by a golf club.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.”

His team also disputed Skratch’s account of his interaction with Ashley Perez, adding that while Mickelson had apologized for his conduct, “that should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him.”

The statement further noted that Skratch is affiliated with the PGA Tour, which Mickelson left in 2022 to join the rival LIV Golf circuit, suggesting readers should consider that relationship when evaluating the report.

Skratch editor-in-chief Ben Boskovich rejected the criticism, telling the Post that Mickelson and his representatives were given an opportunity to respond before publication but declined. He said the outlet “stands by its reporting.”

Mickelson, 56, is one of golf’s most accomplished players, with six major championships and 45 PGA Tour victories.