What to Know
When Phil Mickelson decides to make a return to golf, he’ll have one fewer option when it comes to courses he can choose from. The professional golfer has been banned from a San Diego golf course after he was accused of misconduct involving one of the club’s female employees, but according to Phil, he’s innocent — even though the club appears to be backing up their employee 100 percent.
Phil allegedly made “nonconsensual contact” with a golf course employee.
According to a report originally published by Golf Digest, earlier this year, Phil allegedly made “nonconsensual and inappropriate contact” with an unidentified female employee at Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California. The women rejected his reported advances and told her boss about the incident.
Officials at the club then told Phil, who was there playing a round of golf, that he needed to leave.
He has since been banned from the golf club.
Not only did Phil have to leave the club immediately the day of the incident, but he’s also forbidden from golfing there again in the future.
The club affirmed that they’re backing up their employee, who still remains anonymous, in a statement to Golf Digest.
“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,” said the statement. “The Farms conducts thorough reviews of all reported matters according to California Law and takes appropriate action when warranted, consistent with our commitment to integrity, excellence and accountability. To protect the safety and privacy of our staff and members, we are unable to speak further on this matter. We appreciate your understanding.”
Phil’s attorney, Tom Clare, told the outlet that “objective, video evidence” contradicted the club’s version of what happened, adding, “There is a great deal of misinformation circulating and, while Phil’s full attention is devoted to a private family health matter, he has retained defamation counsel and is determined to hold accountable any publication or individual trafficking in speculation or false rumors.”
Phil announced he was taking a break from golf earlier this year.
In April, Phil announced that he wouldn’t be competing in the 2026 Masters Tournament due to a “personal health matter” in his family.
“Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter,” he wrote at the time. “I have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club and it is definitely the most special week of the year. I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.”
Since his announcement on April 2, Phil has remained quiet on social media.
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