Phil Mickelson banned from San Diego golf club over misconduct allegation

Phil Mickelson, the six-time major champion competing on the LIV Golf Tour, has been expelled from his longtime home course in the San Diego area after a female employee accused him of nonconsensual physical contact earlier this spring.

Multiple sources confirmed to Golf Digest that Mr. Mickelson is no longer a member at The Farms Golf Club, which sits about 25 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, after a club employee accused him of inappropriate contact with her before a round of golf this spring. 

According to Golf Digest’s exclusive report, Mr. Mickelson approached the female employee at the clubhouse, where he made nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with her. The employee rejected his advances and reported the incident to supervisors after Mr. Mickelson returned to the course. Club officials initiated a review and located Mr. Mickelson mid-round. He was confronted with the accusation on the course, told to vacate the premises, and left before completing his round.

The Farms Golf Club issued a statement confirming the action taken against Mr. Mickelson.

“The Farms Golf Club is committed to maintaining a golf club environment that is safe, respectful and reflects the highest standards of conduct,” the club said. “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 club added that it conducts reviews of reported matters according to California law and said it could not speak further to protect the safety and privacy of its staff and members.

Mr. Mickelson’s attorney, Tom Clare, denied the allegations. Mr. Clare told Golf Digest that objective video evidence contradicts the accusation. However, Golf Digest did not find any video in its investigation, and the club confirmed there is no video of the alleged incident. 

Mr. Clare also issued a broader statement. “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,” the attorney said.

A spokesperson for Mr. Mickelson declined to address the specifics of the allegations.

“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 spokesperson said.

The Farms had served as one of Mr. Mickelson’s primary training grounds before major championships, a familiar and private setting where he could work without scrutiny. Mr. Mickelson, 55, has played in just one tournament in 2026 — finishing tied for 48th at the LIV Golf South Africa event in March after missing the tour’s first four events of the season. He is not expected to compete at next week’s U.S. Open, which would mark just the second time he has missed the tournament since 1994.