Phil Mickelson has been kicked out of a San Diego golf club over allegations he made unwanted physical contact with a female employee, Golf Digest reported Thursday.
Golf Digest cited multiple sources as saying Mickelson is no longer welcome at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, where the six-time major champion has played and practiced for decades. The unwanted contact was said to have happened earlier this spring.
Mickelson, a 55-year-old San Diego native and former PGA Tour star who was the chief recruiter in the launching of the LIV Golf League, has played only once this year because of a serious family health matter that has not been disclosed.
This will mark the first time since 1989 he has not played at least one of the first three major championship tournament of the year. Mickelson did not play the Masters (which he was won three times) or the PGA Championship (which he has won twice), and is no longer exempt for the U.S. Open — the major he is missing for the career Grand Slam — which tees off next week at New York’s Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
Golf Digest said it verified the identity of The Farms employee and was withholding her name to protect her privacy. It said she declined to participate in the reporting of the story.