Six-time major champion golfer Phil Mickelson was removed from membership at a San Diego-area golf club earlier this year after allegations of inappropriate touching, Golf Digest reports.
According to reports, Mickelson allegedly approached an unidentified female employee at Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, and engaged in “nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact.” After she rejected him, she reported the incident to her superiors.
Club officials then confronted Mickelson with the accusations during a round of golf and told him to leave the club immediately.
“Farms Golf Club is committed to maintaining a golf club environment that is safe, courteous and reflects the highest standards of conduct. All members are required to abide by our Code of Conduct and allegations of misconduct are taken seriously. Following a staff member’s report of a member’s misconduct, the club provided immediate and ongoing support to that staff member, conducted a thorough independent investigation into the incident and took decisive action. This individual is no longer a member of Farms Golf. He is not a member of the club,” the golf club said in a statement to Golf Digest.
“Our firm will thoroughly review all matters reported to us in accordance with California law and will take appropriate action as necessary, consistent with our commitment to integrity, excellence, and accountability. To protect the safety and privacy of our staff and members, we are unable to discuss this matter further. Thank you for your understanding.”
Golf Digest reported that it reached out to Mickelson through his representative on June 7 for an opportunity to respond. The lawyer told the website that the case was “directly contradicted by objective video evidence.”
“There is a great deal of misinformation out there, and while Phil remains committed to his private family health issues, he has retained a defamation lawyer and is determined to hold accountable any publications or personal sales based on speculation or false rumors,” attorney Tom Clare said in a statement days later.
Mickelson, 55, announced earlier this year that he was taking a break from golf to deal with private family health issues. Mickelson will not compete in next week’s U.S. Open at Sinek Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, as his five-year exemption from winning the 2021 PGA Championship has expired. He would have needed an invitation from the United States Golf Association to play in the tournament.
