The report in question alleged that Mickelson<\/a> – known to golf fans worldwide as Lefty – received insider information about an oil company, Sable Offshore, and subsequently shared that information in a private WhatsApp group.<\/p>\n Mickelson wasted no time responding to the claims. Almost immediately after the report went live, he fired back on social media, calling the piece “slanderous” and “false.”<\/p>\n Phil Mickelson<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Now, he’s taking things a step further. In a follow-up statement, Mickelson revealed that he has officially hired Tom Clare, a prominent attorney known for representing high-profile figures in defamation cases, to advise and defend him as the dispute unfolds.<\/p>\n In his post, Mickelson acknowledged that scrutiny comes with fame, but made clear that this time, he’s drawing a line in the sand.<\/p>\n “I know from experience that being in the public eye makes me a frequent target for sensationalized media coverage,” Mickelson wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I get that it comes with the territory, but there are legal limits on false reports. And while I may have been willing to ‘let it go’ in the past, I’m no longer going to sit quietly and take it when those lines are crossed.”<\/p>\n I know from experience that being in the public eye makes me a frequent target for sensationalized media coverage. I get that it comes with the territory but there are legal limits on false reports. And while I may have been willing to “let it go” in the past, I’m no longer\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) November 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n The 53-year-old concluded his statement by reaffirming his intent to pursue action against not only Hunterbrook, but also anyone who republishes or amplifies what he deems to be defamatory.<\/p>\n “I have retained world-class defamation counsel Tom Clare to advise and represent me on this ‘article’ by Hunterbrook and anyone who reposts it,” Mickelson said.<\/p>\n For their part, Hunterbrook isn’t backing down. The publication maintains full confidence in its reporting and has stood by the story publicly.<\/p>\n Responding directly to Mickelson’s post, Sam Koppelman, the report’s author, wrote: “We stand by our fact-checked, legally vetted reporting\u2014and provided you with multiple chances to comment prior to publication, which you declined. Our offer to chat remains open. You have my number.”<\/p>\n Mickelson is one of the most decorated and charismatic golfers in the history of the men’s game, winning 45 PGA Tour<\/a> titles and six major championships.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n His PGA Championship victory in 2021 at Kiawah Island made him the oldest major winner.\u00a0<\/p>\n He joined LIV Golf<\/a> in 2022 for a reported $200m.\u00a0<\/p>\n Subscribe to our Newsletter![\"Phil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2023-07-19t094842z_1505859051_up1ej7j0r947u_rtrmadp_3_golf-open-3.JPG\")
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