Phil Mickelson has been thrown out of his home golf club after a female employee accused him of inappropriate contact, according to a report in an American magazine.
Golf Digest revealed that Mickelson, the six-time major champion, has been ejected as a member from The Farms Golf Club in San Diego after the alleged incident earlier this year. According to the respected magazine’s website, sources claimed that the 55-year-old made non-consensual and inappropriate physical contact with the woman.
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The employee reportedly immediately went to club officials, who quickly launched a review and investigation before locating Mickelson mid-round. He was confronted with the accusation and ordered to vacate the premises and left the course before completing his round.
Golf Digest approached Mickelson for direct comment, but he declined. A spokesman said: “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.”
Mickelson’s lawyers have denied the allegations. Scrutiny will inevitably fall on the six-time major champion’s competitive absence since March. The father of three has missed six LIV events and the season’s opening two majors.
Farms Golf Club, which requires golfers to pay an initiation fee of approximately £50,000 and an annual subscription of roughly £20,000, also released a statement to Telegraph Sport.
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“The Farms Golf Club is committed to maintaining a golf club environment that is safe, respectful and reflects the highest standards of conduct,” the statement read. “All members are required to adhere to our code of conduct, and any allegations of misconduct are taken seriously. 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 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.”
Telegraph Sport has contacted Mickelson’s representatives for comment.
Mickelson is also not playing in next week’s US Open and it is highly doubtful that he appears in next month’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Each time he has withdrawn, the official reason given has been that he is tending to a family health matter and his attorney, Tom Clarke, described as one of America top libel lawyers, insists that is still the case.
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“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 rumours,” Clarke said.
Mickelson has been a long-time member of The Farms. It has been one of his main places to prepare for majors and other big events and he and his wife, Amy, have become well known at the club.
The reports could hardly have come at a worse time for LIV Golf. The Saudi Public Investment Fund announced in April that it would not be funding the circuit from the end of this season and the LIV executive has desperately been trying to attract investment to save the league. And that challenge must have become harder still with these allegations hanging over its most garlanded superstar.
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