Phil Mickelson has reportedly been expelled from The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, following allegations of unwanted physical contact with a female employee.
Golf Digest first reported the incident on Thursday, citing multiple sources.
The publication detailed that Mickelson, 55, allegedly approached the woman in the clubhouse earlier this spring, making nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact.
The employee reportedly rejected his advances and subsequently reported the incident to her supervisors. Following a review and independent investigation, officials at The Farms confronted Mickelson on the course and instructed him to leave the premises.
In a statement provided to Golf Digest, The Farms confirmed the expulsion without naming Mickelson: “Following a staff member report of member misconduct, the club provided immediate and ongoing support to the staff member, conducted a thorough independent investigation of the incident and took decisive action. This individual is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club.”
The club added: “To protect the safety and privacy of our staff and member, we are unable to speak further on the matter.”
Golf Digest verified the employee’s identity but withheld her name for privacy.
A spokesperson for Mickelson addressed the allegations, telling Golf Digest: “Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf.”
Mickelson has played only once this year due to the undisclosed family health matter, missing both the Masters and PGA Championship, and is no longer exempt for the U.S. Open.
This latest development adds to a series of controversies for Mickelson, who was a key figure in the launch of Saudi-funded LIV Golf.
He faced significant backlash and lost major sponsorships in early 2022 after being quoted calling the Saudis “scary mother (expletives),” admitting he was only considering joining the league to gain leverage over the PGA Tour. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is set to end its financial backing of LIV after this year.
Mickelson’s past has also included legal scrutiny. He was a relief defendant in an insider trading scheme in 2016 in which he was not criminally charged but agreed to repay nearly $1 million he made in a single trade. Noted gambler Billy Walters was involved in that case and sentenced to five years in prison.
Walters wrote an autobiography in 2023 in which he claims Mickelson has wagered more than $1 billion over the last 30 years, including one day in 2011 in which Mickelson was said to have placed 43 bets on Major League Baseball that resulted in $143,500 in losses.
Once a beloved figure in golf, known for his bold play and fan interaction, these incidents mark a challenging period for the 2021 PGA Championship winner.
