Full Breakdown
Phil Mickelson Faces New Misconduct Allegations Amid Club Departures
7/3/2026, 12:40:29 AM
Core Event: Investigative Report and Allegations
Golf publication Skratch published an investigative article on June 26 2026 by journalist Alan Shipnuck. The piece alleged that six-time major champion Phil Mickelson engaged in a pattern of inappropriate conduct toward women, including: (1) showing an explicit photograph of himself to Ashley Perez—the then-wife of pro golfer Pat Perez—in 2015 and propositioning her; (2) non-consensual physical contact with a female employee at The Farms Golf Club (Rancho Santa Fe); and (3) “abrupt departures” from three California clubs—The Farms Golf Club, The Madison Club (La Quinta), and The Bridges (Rancho Santa Fe). Shipnuck’s article cited 19 sources, many of them anonymous.
Background & Context: Prior Club Issues
In June 2026, Golf Digest reported that Mickelson was asked to leave The Farms Golf Club after a female staff member reported non-consensual contact. Mickelson’s attorney later said the golfer resigned. Earlier, Mickelson had voluntarily left The Madison Club in 2021, a departure his representatives attribute to personal decisions, not club expulsion.
Key Figures & Groups
- Phil Mickelson – six-time major champion, LIV Golf player.
- Ashley Perez – former wife of Pat Perez, accuser.
- Pat Perez – professional golfer, husband of Ashley at the time of the alleged 2015 incident.
- Amy Mickelson – Mickelson’s wife of 30 years, not a public figure.
- Alan Shipnuck – journalist, author of the Skratch investigation.
- Skratch Golf – former PGA Tour-owned media brand, now part of Pro Shop.
- Ben Boskovich – editor-in-chief of Skratch.
- Tom Clare – Mickelson’s attorney.
- Daniel Watkins – attorney for Ashley Perez.
Timeline
- 2015 – Alleged photo-showing and proposition to Ashley Perez during a tournament weekend.
- June 11 2026 – Golf Digest reports Mickelson’s removal from The Farms Golf Club.
- June 26 2026 – Skratch publishes Shipnuck’s investigation.
- July 1 2026 – Mickelson’s representatives issue a 738-word statement denying expulsions and labeling the report a “drive-by shooting.”
- July 2 2026 – Skratch’s Ben Boskovich reiterates that the outlet offered comment three days before publication and stands by its reporting.
Data & Statistics
- Three California clubs are named as sites of alleged misconduct.
- 19 sources are cited in Shipnuck’s article, most of them anonymous.
- Mickelson is 56 years old and has six major championships.
Why It Matters / Impact
The allegations have coincided with Mickelson’s withdrawal from all four 2026 majors—a first in his career—citing a private family health matter. The controversy also raises questions about potential bias, given Skratch’s historic affiliation with the PGA Tour, from which Mickelson defected to LIV Golf.
Official Statements & Responses
- “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.” — Mickelson spokesperson.
- “Mr Mickelson’s willingness to apologise for his conduct should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him.” — Mickelson spokesperson.
- “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.” — Mickelson spokesperson.
- “The article never says Phil Mickelson was kicked out of a golf club because it can’t. Instead, it is written to leave readers with that impression without ever having to report it as a fact.” — Ben Boskovich, editor-in-chief, Skratch.
Criticism & Opposition
- “I will rise up and stand next to the millions of women who have been silenced to protect the evil and darkness that lurks amongst us.” — Ashley Perez (Instagram story).
- “We are disappointed that Mr Mickelson continues to attack Ms Perez rather than confront the overwhelming and undeniable evidence of his misconduct.” — Daniel Watkins, attorney for Perez.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether Mickelson was *expelled* or *voluntarily resigned* from the three clubs. The nature of the 2015 photograph is contested: Mickelson’s team describes it as “topless,” while Perez describes it as a full-body nude with an erection. No club has publicly confirmed revocation of membership, and no independent verification of the alleged $500 payment to a pro-shop employee has been provided.
What’s Next
Mickelson remains absent from the 2026 majors while a family health issue is addressed. No formal legal proceedings have been announced, but the allegations may prompt further media scrutiny and potential investigations by club administrations or governing bodies.
