An elite California country club has revoked the membership of six-time major winner Phil Mickelson following serious allegations of inappropriate contact with a female staff member, BBC Sport and Golf Digest reported on Saturday. The alleged incident occurred earlier this spring at the exclusive Farms Golf Club located in Rancho Santa Fe near San Diego. Following an immediate formal complaint lodged by the female employee, the veteran golfer was asked to halt his game mid-round and leave the premises immediately. The club management issued an official statement confirming that they are dedicated to maintaining a safe, respectful environment that reflects the highest standards of professional conduct.
The decisive disciplinary action was taken by the board after an independent and thorough investigation into the reported misconduct of the member. While the country club emphasized its compliance with California law regarding workplace safety and accountability, officials declined to provide further specific details in order to protect the privacy and security of their staff. The 55-year-old American left-hander had long used the ultra-exclusive facility as his primary training base to prepare for major global tournaments. Representatives for the 45-time PGA Tour winner have been contacted by international sports media but have yet to release an official response or comment regarding the matter.
What remains unclear is how this latest development will impact Mickelson`s standing within professional golf and his scheduled appearances in upcoming international championships. The veteran athlete had cemented his place in sports history in 2021 by becoming the oldest player to win a major title at the US PGA Championship at the age of 51. Despite his long-standing popularity and affable public demeanor, his career has been increasingly overshadowed by successive controversies over the past few years. He became a highly divisive figure in the sport after becoming one of the premier recruits for the Saudi-backed breakaway tour, LIV Golf, following leaked derogatory remarks about its financial backers.
Beyond the golf course, Mickelson has previously faced intense public scrutiny over a federal insider trading investigation that resulted in the imprisonment of a close associate. A subsequent biographical book alleged that the golfer had wagered massive sporting bets totaling nearly 1 billion dollars over his career. Mickelson later addressed the allegations directly, publicly acknowledging his severe gambling addiction and stating that he had committed himself to intense professional therapy. He has played only one competitive tournament this year, missing several major events including the Masters to prioritize a confidential family health matter. He is also scheduled to miss next week`s US Open at Shinnecock Hills, an event where he has previously finished as runner-up six times.
