Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has been banned from a prestigious California golf club following allegations of misconduct involving a female employee. The Farms Golf Club, located near San Diego, confirmed that Mickelson's membership has been revoked after an investigation into what club officials called a violation of their code of conduct.
According to a report from Golf Digest, the incident occurred earlier this spring when Mickelson, 55, allegedly made nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with a female employee at the clubhouse before a round of golf. The employee reportedly rejected his advances and immediately reported the encounter to supervisors. Club officials took the claim seriously, launching a review and locating Mickelson mid-round to confront him with the accusation.
Following that confrontation, Mickelson was told to leave the course and did not complete his round. The Farms Golf Club later released a statement emphasizing its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment. The club said it provided immediate support to the employee, conducted a thorough independent investigation, and took decisive action — resulting in Mickelson no longer being a member.
Mickelson's spokesperson declined to discuss the specifics of the case, instead citing a private family health matter and uncertainty about his return to professional golf. “Any misunderstanding has been cleared up,” the spokesperson said, adding that Mickelson is focused on attending to a family health issue and is unsure when he will return to the course.
Meanwhile, Mickelson's attorney has pushed back against what he describes as misinformation. In a statement to Golf Digest, the lawyer said Phil has retained defamation counsel and is prepared to hold accountable any outlet or individual spreading false rumors about the incident.
The Farms Golf Club is recognized as one of California's premier private golf clubs, and the decision to ban a player of Mickelson's stature has drawn attention across the sports world. Many golf fans have applauded the club's swift response, with some cheering the decision to kick him off the course mid-round and uphold strict standards of conduct.
Mickelson, a six-time major winner and former PGA Tour star, has been competing on the LIV Golf Tour in recent years. The incident raises fresh questions about his future in the sport, especially as he continues to deal with personal matters off the course.
The club declined to comment further, citing privacy concerns for both its staff and members. “The Farms conducts thorough reviews of all reported matters according to California Law and takes appropriate action when warranted,” the statement read, underscoring the club's commitment to integrity and accountability.
As the story develops, the golf world is watching closely to see how Mickelson and his legal team respond, and whether this controversy will affect his standing in the professional golf community.
