Mickelson Resignation
Golf Champion Phil Mickelson Resigns From Country Club After Misconduct Allegations Emerge
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Phil Mickelson has resigned from The Farms Country Club near San Diego after a female employee accused him of inappropriate physical contact, according to AP News. The club said it took "decisive action" following a "thorough independent investigation" and confirmed the six-time major champion is "no longer a member."
Mickelson's defamation attorney, Tom Clare, pushed back on the framing. He insisted Mickelson resigned voluntarily and said "video evidence" would fully clear his client. Clare also warned that Mickelson "is determined to hold accountable any publication or individual trafficking in speculation or false rumors," Newsday reported.
Golf Digest Breaks Story, Club Acts Immediately
Golf Digest first reported the allegations on June 11, 2026. According to the report, club officials confronted Mickelson mid-round and told him to leave the premises immediately. His photos were removed from the clubhouse walls, according to Mediaite. The club followed up the next day with a public statement confirming that a member had been removed.
The female employee has been identified by Golf Digest but her name was withheld for privacy. She declined to speak publicly. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office said it tried to find evidence of an assault but stated: "At this time, we have not located any evidence to show an assault has occurred," per Golf Channel.
Resignation or Expulsion? The Two Competing Stories
Mickelson's legal team says he left on his own terms. Attorney Tom Clare framed the exit as a voluntary resignation so Mickelson could focus on a family health matter. Clare claims video footage contradicts the misconduct allegations entirely, according to Post Register.
The club tells a different story. Its statement said it "provided immediate and ongoing support to the staff member" and took "decisive action" after an independent investigation. The club also stated there is no video footage of the area where the alleged contact occurred — directly contradicting Clare's claim of exonerating evidence, per Beaumont Enterprise.
A Difficult Year Before the Allegations Even Surfaced
The misconduct story lands during an already troubled stretch for Mickelson. He announced a leave of absence in February 2026, citing a private family health matter involving his wife, Amy. He missed four straight LIV Golf events before a lone appearance in South Africa, where he finished 48th out of 57 players, according to Winnipeg Free Press.
He then withdrew from both the 2026 Masters on April 2 and the PGA Championship on May 5. It marked only the third time since 1994 that neither Mickelson nor Tiger Woods appeared in a Masters field. Mickelson's spokesperson said the family health matter remains the priority: "Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to attend to a family health matter."
LIV Golf Troubles Add to Mickelson's Uncertain Future
Beyond the club controversy, Mickelson faces a murky competitive future. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) — the government fund that bankrolled LIV Golf — is reportedly scaling back its spending. The fund has spent an estimated $6 billion on LIV since 2022, per The Messenger. Reports now suggest the tour could collapse by 2027.
Mickelson has no path back to the PGA Tour either. The tour's new returning member program requires a major win between 2022 and 2025. Mickelson's last major was the 2021 PGA Championship. At 56, with a reported $200 million LIV contract and no alternative tour, his playing future is deeply uncertain, according to NH Register.
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