Phil Mickelson Unwelcome at San Diego Golf Club

Phil Mickelson, a respected six-time major champion, is no longer welcome at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California. According to a report by Golf Digest, the decision follows allegations of unwanted physical contact with a female employee at the club.

The incident reportedly took place earlier this spring. Mickelson, who has been deeply involved in launching LIV Golf, has only participated in one event this year due to a serious, undisclosed family health issue. Consequently, he missed prominent tournaments like the Masters and PGA Championship and is no longer exempt for the U.S. Open.

Golf Digest confirmed the identity of the affected employee, opting not to disclose her name to safeguard her privacy. She declined to engage in the story’s reporting. A representative for Mickelson stated, “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.”

Sources told Golf Digest that Mickelson approached the woman in the clubhouse, making nonconsensual and inappropriate advances. She rejected these overtures, subsequently notifying her supervisors. On investigation, The Farms officials confronted Mickelson during a round of golf and instructed him to leave the premises. In a statement, The Farms noted, “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 private club, located about 10 miles from Torrey Pines, counts top players like Annika Sorenstam and Xander Schauffele among its members, though they reside primarily in Florida.

This incident is part of a challenging period for Mickelson, who has a family, including a spouse and three children. Once admired in golf for his bold style and fan interactions, Mickelson’s reputation has suffered setbacks. In 2016, he was a relief defendant in an insider trading investigation, agreeing to repay almost $1 million from a single trade, involving gambler Billy Walters, who was imprisoned for five years. Walters later wrote an autobiography in 2023 claiming Mickelson wagered over $1 billion across 30 years, with a notable 2011 incident of 43 bets on Major League Baseball causing $143,500 in losses.

Mickelson’s legacy includes becoming the oldest major champion in 2021 with his PGA Championship win and his role in starting Saudi-backed LIV Golf the following year. He lost major endorsements in 2022 following controversial remarks about Saudis, which affected his association with the PGA Tour. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has now indicated that financial backing for LIV will conclude this year.