Last week, Phil Mickelson took to social media during the Thanksgiving holiday to express his true sentiments about prominent golf writer Alan Shipnuck. Mickelson went as far as to call Shipnuck the “worst liar and a pathetic human,” even referring to him as a “lying POS” in a since-deleted post. Shipnuck, known for his best-selling books, recently published a comprehensive biography on Mickelson, including the golfer’s controversial comments about the Saudi Arabians, and a detailed account of golf’s great schism, titled LIV and Let Die. On Monday, Shipnuck hit back by sharing email exchanges between him and Mickelson from late 2021 when finalizing Mickelson’s biography.
In the email, Shipnuck informed Mickelson that the book was complete and indicated that “your many fans are going to love it.” The book delves into intriguing stories, such as Mickelson’s handling of golf flags and his tumultuous departure from his former caddy, Jim “Bones” McKay. Shipnuck also sought to clarify Mickelson’s connection with renowned gambler Billy Walters and a sensitive question about an individual’s sexuality, which Mickelson had requested to be removed from the book. Instead of a direct response from Mickelson, his attorney, Pat Swan Jr., communicated with Shipnuck.
Shipnuck included Mickelson’s desire to discuss the PGA Tour and the Saudis in response to his original post. Shipnuck also addressed Mickelson’s claim that their conversation was off-the-record, as well as his controversial statements about Shipnuck’s integrity. Curiously, their feud stemmed from rumors about Jon Rahm heading to LIV Golf, with Mickelson questioning Shipnuck’s credibility. Regardless of the ongoing altercation, one thing remains clear – a conversation cannot be off-the-record after the fact.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko for more golf coverage. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough too.
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Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.