Full Breakdown
Phil Mickelson Expelled from The Farms Golf Club Over Alleged Inappropriate Contact
6/12/2026, 5:02:40 AM
Expulsion After Alleged Non-Consensual Contact
A female employee at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe reported that six-time major champion Phil Mickelson made non-consensual, inappropriate contact with her in the clubhouse earlier this spring. After she rejected the advance and filed a complaint, club officials reviewed the allegation, confronted Mickelson mid-round, and told him to leave. The club then terminated his membership.
Recent Absences and Family Health Matter
Mickelson missed the Masters and PGA Championship and played only once this season, finishing T-48 at the LIV Golf South Africa event in March. He cites an undisclosed family health matter for his extended leave. He remains a six-time major champion and a 45-time PGA Tour winner.
Timeline
- Early spring 2026 – alleged non-consensual contact at The Farms Golf Club.
- March 2026 – finishes T-48 at LIV Golf South Africa; April 2, 2026 – withdraws from the Masters citing a family health matter.
- June 11, 2026 – Golf Digest reports Mickelson’s expulsion; The Farms releases a statement.
Official Statements & Responses
The Farms Golf Club said it is committed to a safe, respectful environment, gave support to staff, conducted an investigation, and removed the member. Mickelson’s spokesperson said the misunderstanding was cleared up and that he remains focused on a family health matter. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said it investigated, found no evidence of assault, and will act on any new information. Attorney Tom Clare says video evidence contradicts the report, though none has been produced.
Criticism & Opposition
Mickelson’s legal team disputes the club’s findings, citing alleged video proof the club says does not exist, underscoring differing evidentiary standards between law enforcement and private clubs.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No video captured the alleged interaction; the club confirmed no cameras were present. The employee declined to be interviewed, limiting testimony. The club’s statement omitted Mickelson’s name, yet multiple sources identified him, creating a discrepancy between anonymity and attribution.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — The Farms Golf Club statement
- “Any misunderstanding has been cleared up.” — Mickelson spokesperson
- “a great deal of misinformation circulating” — Attorney Tom Clare
- “ "We encourage anyone with information regarding an incident such as this to reach out to the Sheriff's Office," it said in a statement to ESPN.” — San Diego County Sheriff’s Office
Impact & Outlook
The removal of a high-profile member shows private clubs can act decisively on misconduct, potentially reshaping membership policies and public perception of elite golf venues. Mickelson’s ongoing absence may affect LIV Golf’s visibility and sponsor relations. His team may pursue defamation action, and his eligibility for events such as the U.S. Open and the Open Championship remains uncertain pending resolution of the family health matter and any further investigations.
