Golf icon Phil Mickelson has come out swinging in response to bombshell allegations made towards him by a feminine worker at an unique course in Southern California.
A report from Golf Digest earlier this week claimed that the six-time main champion was eliminated as a member of The Farms Golf Membership amid allegations of inappropriate bodily contact from a feminine workers member there.
He was investigated by regulation enforcement earlier this yr over the allegations, however now Mickelson – by way of his lawyer – has hit again.
The 55-year-old has retained high-profile defamation lawyer Tom Clare to symbolize him within the case, who claims they’ve video proof that proves Mickelson is within the clear.
‘There’s an excessive amount of misinformation circulating and, whereas Phil’s full consideration is dedicated to a personal household well being matter, he has retained defamation counsel and is set to carry accountable any publication or particular person trafficking in hypothesis or false rumors,’ Clare mentioned in a press release to Golf Digest.
It was initially reported that the allegations made towards Mickelson led to him being instantly faraway from the grounds and stripped of his longtime membership.
Golf icon Phil Mickelson was investigated earlier this yr over an allegation of sexual assault
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Workplace has confirmed to The Each day Mail that it ‘made makes an attempt to find any proof to help the potential allegation of a sexual assault’ involving Mickelson and the feminine worker.
Nonetheless, an SDCSO spokesperson revealed they didn’t obtain any official studies of a sexual assault incident on the membership and ‘haven’t situated any proof to indicate an assault has occurred.’
‘The Sheriff’s Workplace would completely examine additional if supplied further proof or info,’ the spokesperson added. ‘We encourage anybody with info concerning an incident reminiscent of this to achieve out to the Sheriff’s Workplace.’
Golf Digest’s report claimed Mickelson approached the feminine worker and ‘made nonconsensual and inappropriate bodily contact’ earlier than she rejected his advances.
He was then situated on the course mid-round and confronted concerning the alleged incident and advised to vacate the premises, the report provides.
A spokesperson for Mickelson, who in February introduced he was stepping away from golf indefinitely on account of a private household well being matter, referred to as the incident ‘a misunderstanding’.
The spokesperson mentioned: ‘Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to take care of a household well being matter and is unsure when he’ll have the ability to return to skilled golf.’
Mickelson, pictured with spouse Amy, stepped away from golf indefinitely earlier within the yr
Mickelson grew up close to San Diego and has been married to his spouse, Amy, since 1996 and so they have three children collectively. Amy has beforehand battled breast most cancers, with Phil suspending his golf schedule in Could 2009 to help her along with her remedy.
The six-time main champion, who celebrates his 56th birthday on Tuesday, has been provided the possibility to remark by the Each day Mail.
The Farms Golf Membership mentioned to Golf Digest: ‘Following a workers member report of member misconduct, the Membership supplied speedy and ongoing help to the workers member, performed a radical unbiased investigation of the incident and took decisive motion.
‘This particular person is now not a member of The Farms Golf Membership.’
Mickelson’s absence from skilled golf on the LIV circuit has been particularly noticeable in latest weeks given the tour is combating for its future.
He missed the beginning of the LIV Golf season, returned for one event in South Africa in March, however then stepped away once more, even pulling out of the Masters.
Mickelson was one of many first golfers to ditch the PGA Tour for Saudi thousands and thousands however in an interview with golf writer Alan Shipnuck concerning the transfer in 2022, described his new employers as ‘scary motherf***ers to become involved with.’
