Phil Mickelson has strongly pushed back against allegations made by Ashley Perez, the former wife of golfer Pat Perez, as the controversy surrounding the six-time major champion continues to grow.
The allegations, which stem from an alleged incident during a PGA Tour event in 2015, were recently detailed in a published report. Ashley Perez claims that Mickelson showed her an explicit photograph and made inappropriate comments while she and her then-husband were staying with the golf star during tournament week.
However, Mickelson’s legal team has firmly disputed many of the allegations.
Attorney Tom Clare, representing the LIV Golf star, stated that several claims made against Mickelson are either false or misleading.
“Some of the claims are outright false,” Clare said. “Others revisit mistakes that Mr. Mickelson has already acknowledged publicly or privately.”
The attorney also argued that combining disputed allegations with previously acknowledged personal issues creates what he described as a false narrative surrounding the golfer.
“Stacking the disputed claims next to the ones he has owned does not make them credible,” Clare said. “It instead contributes to a false and misleading narrative.”
Ashley Perez recently explained that she decided to come forward because she wanted to encourage other women to share their experiences.
“I want to give other women the courage to share their truth,” she said.
The allegations have also brought renewed attention to comments previously made by Pat Perez. In a 2022 podcast appearance, the former PGA Tour player said that Mickelson had “crossed the line” and described the matter as “uncrossable and unforgivable.”
Mickelson himself has not directly addressed Ashley Perez’s claims publicly, but his legal team’s response represents the strongest defense issued on his behalf since the allegations emerged.
The attorney also emphasized that Mickelson’s current focus remains on his family.
“Mr. Mickelson’s priority is to become the husband, father and man his family deserves,” the statement said. “Right now, that means giving his full attention to a private family health matter.”
Mickelson has been absent from much of the golf season and recently withdrew from The Open Championship, citing personal reasons.
At this time, the allegations remain disputed, and no criminal charges have been filed against the six-time major champion.
As both sides continue to stand by their positions, the controversy has become one of the biggest stories in golf, with questions remaining about Mickelson’s future and the long-term impact of the allegations.
For now, Phil Mickelson and his legal team continue to deny the allegations while defending the golfer against the claims made by Ashley Perez.