Phil Mickelson Excluded from San Diego Golf Club Following Allegations

Phil Mickelson has been expelled from The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, due to allegations of making unwanted physical contact with a female employee. According to Golf Digest, several sources confirmed that the six-time major champion is no longer welcome at the club he frequented for decades.

The incident reportedly occurred in the spring of this year. Mickelson, who played a pivotal role in the launch of LIV Golf, has only participated in one event this year due to an undisclosed serious family health issue, which also kept him from competing in the Masters and PGA Championship. He no longer qualifies for the U.S. Open exemptions.

Golf Digest, which revealed the details, verified the identity of the employee but chose to keep her name confidential. She opted not to engage with the publication. Mickelson’s spokesperson mentioned, “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.”

The magazine reported that Mickelson approached the woman in the clubhouse, where nonconsensual contact took place, leading her to report the encounter to her supervisors. An investigation followed, and Mickelson was asked to leave the premises.

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 Farms is a private club approximately 10 miles from Torrey Pines, and several prominent players such as Annika Sorenstam and Xander Schauffele are members.

This incident adds to a challenging period for Mickelson, once celebrated for his contribution to golf through his aggressive style and fan engagement. In 2016, Mickelson was involved in an insider trading investigation as a relief defendant, where he repaid nearly $1 million but faced no criminal charges. Billy Walters, a noted gambler involved in that case, alleged in a 2023 autobiography that Mickelson had wagered over $1 billion over 30 years, including a loss-heavy day in 2011.

Mickelson became the oldest major winner in history with his 2021 PGA Championship victory. However, his decision to join the controversial Saudi-funded LIV Golf attracted significant criticism. He faced backlash for derogatory remarks about the Saudis and saw major sponsorships withdrawn. The Saudi Public Investment Fund will cease backing LIV after this year.