Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has denied allegations of misconduct carried in an investigation by golf publication Skratch, with his representatives calling the piece an "anonymously sourced drive-by shooting".
The Skratch investigation by journalist Alan Shipnuck alleged Mickelson was no longer welcome at three California golf clubs because of inappropriate behaviour towards women.
It also included a claim by Ashley Perez, the former wife of PGA Tour player Pat Perez, that Mickelson showed her an explicit photograph of himself in 2015 and propositioned her.
The Skratch investigation comes after Mickelson left a prestigious California golf club following allegations of inappropriate contact with a female employee which he denied.
A statement from the 56-year-old's camp responding to the Skratch claims, and sent to the New York Post, external, said their version of events related to the Perez photograph missed key detail, suggesting a misunderstanding for which he later apologised.
It added: "Mr Mickelson's willingness to apologise for his conduct should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him."
And on the claims he had been asked to leave golf clubs, it went on: "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 His membership has never been revoked by a golf club.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 leaves San Diego club after allegations
It also criticised Skratch's use of anonymous sources and questioned whether readers should have been reminded of the publication's historical links to the PGA Tour.
Mickelson left the PGA Tour in 2022 to become one of the most high-profile signings to the Saudi-backed breakaway LIV Golf organisation.
"Credibility is not earned by publishing the most provocative narrative," the statement said.
"It is earned through transparency, verification, and a clear distinction between fact, inference, and speculation."
However Skratch editor-in-chief Ben Boskovich said the publication "stands by its reporting".
He told the Post that the golfer, his wife and his lawyer had been given the opportunity to respond before publication.
Mickelson has played only one LIV tournament this year, in South Africa in March, missing the rest of their schedule to prioritise "a family health matter".
