Editor defends Phil Mickelson report after lawyer brands it "an anonymously sourced drive-by shooting"

The editor-in-chief of Skratch has defended their reporting exposing Phil Mickelson's alleged misconduct after the six-time major winner's lawyer accused the publication of an "anonymously sourced drive-by shooting".

Skratch published a detailed report into the hall famer on 28 June with allegations that cast a new shadow over Mickelson's reputation. 

The investigation included the claim by Ashley Perez, the ex-wife of PGA Tour player Pat Perez, that Mickelson showed a lewd photograph of himself in 2015 and propositioned her. 

Other claims in the investigation, carried out by Alan Shipnuck, included that Mickelson had left two high-end golf clubs in San Diego where his personal conduct was a concern.

Mickelson's attorney, Tom Clare, issued 738-word statement to the New York Post on Thursday, accusing Skratch of an "anonymously sourced drive-by shooting". 

Clare also questioned Skratch's affiliation with the PGA Tour.

But Skratch's editor-in-chief, Ben Boskovich, is standing by their report. 

He issued a statement to Front Office Sports saying: 

"On June 23rd, three days before the story's publication on Skratch.golf, we sent Tom Clare a detailed, 17-question request for comment from Phil Mickelson. We sent a separate request for comment to Amy Mickelson through the Mickelsons’ family attorney. 

"Neither subject answered a single one of our questions, and Clare did not address them in his statement to Skratch, which we printed in full as part of the story. 

"It's bizarre that Clare is now challenging our reporting through the press rather than answering our questions directly.

"Clare asserts that the story is not supported by 'any on-the-record sources.' Ashley Perez is named and quoted throughout the story. And every one of our sources is willing to back up their (corroborated) statements privately if it becomes necessary. 

"With regard to Clare's assertion that Amy Mickelson is a private figure, he is wrong. She is certainly a public figure. She is a driving force behind the well-known and widely-promoted philanthropic initiative the 'Amy and Phil Mickelson Charitable Foundation.' 

"Further, she has actively sought the spotlight in the world of golf, including numerous interviews with prominent publications (including with author Alan Shipnuck) throughout her husband's golf career. She also participated in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue in 1998.

"Regarding the allegations related to Mickelson leaving his cell phone with others to obfuscate his actual location, numerous sources at The Bridges golf club detailed Mickelson providing his phone to employees or fellow members to take on the golf course while he spent his time elsewhere. 

"We did not describe this behaviour as sinister but it is unusual. We asked both Phil and Amy questions about this practice but they failed to answer. The article never states that Mickelson was expelled from the Madison Club or The Bridges. We asked both spouses point-blank through their attorneys why Phil had left the clubs and they chose not to answer. The story includes statements from the clubs about the reasons for his departures.

"On the recorded phone call, Pat Perez confronted Mickelson about showing a naked photo of himself to Perez's wife Ashley. Pat Perez was baffled and infuriated when Mickelson asked, 'You mean topless?' Perez's subsequent comments on the phone call made it clear he did not consider Mickelson's question to be a credible denial that the photo had, in fact, been a full-body nude that included Mickelson's erect penis. 

"The writer is a first-hand source regarding the recording of this call. Lastly, Skratch's affiliation with the PGA has been well known in the sports world since 2024. 

"Other outlets that are not affiliated with the PGA Tour have also reported on Mickelson's bad behavior—such reporting is not exclusive to or motivated by a PGA Tour affiliation. 

"The PGA Tour has no oversight over Skratch or any of Pro Shop’s editorial businesses, and was not consulted and did not receive advance notice of the piece. To imply that Skratch's journalism is motivated by Pro Shop's relationship with the PGA Tour is unfounded and untrue.

"Nineteen sources who have a deep knowledge of Mickelson and his behavior provided material for the story. The journalism was vetted by two top entertainment lawyers and a fact-checker with decades of experience. 

"We gave Phil and Amy Mickelson (and Tom Clare) ample time to respond to every element of the story and they chose not to challenge a single assertion. Skratch Golf stands by its reporting."

What did Phil Mickelson's lawyer say?

A 738-word statement from Mickelson's camp was sent to the New York Post on 2 July.

Tom Clare wrote that Skratch's version of events around the Perez photograph claim missed a key detail. 

"During a private call [to the Perezes] in which Mr Mickelson reached out to apologise for his behaviour, he immediately challenged the central premise of the allegation by asking, 'You mean topless?'

"That distinction matters. Mr Mickelson's willingness to apologise for his conduct should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him. 

"Responsible journalism does not amplify the most sensational characterisation of a disputed event while minimizing the fact that the allegation itself was challenged"  

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."

Clare also criticised Skratch's use of anonymous sources and questioned whether readers should have been reminded of its historical links to the PGA Tour. 

Mickelson left the PGA Tour in 2022 for the breakaway LIV Golf League.

 "Credibility is not earned by publishing the most provocative narrative," the statement added.

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

Mickelson has barely played this year. 

A private family health matter has reduced him to just one LIV appearance, in South Africa, and he has missed all three majors. 

He is not playing in the 2026 Open either.