Report: Phil Mickelson accused of inappropriate contact with golf club employee

Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson is no longer a member of a private golf club near his hometown outside of San Diego after a female club employee accused him of inappropriate contact earlier this spring, Golf Digest reported Thursday.

Mickelson allegedly made nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with the employee at the clubhouse before a round of golf at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., according to the report. The employee immediately reported the incident to supervisors, per the report.

Club officials initiated a review and investigation and confronted Mickelson on the course, per the report. He was told to vacate the premises and left the course.

Golf Digest withheld the employee's name to protect her privacy, and she declined to participate in the publication's story.

Mickelson declined to comment directly on the allegations, while a spokesperson issued a statement: "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, who turns 56 on Tuesday, stepped away from competition in February for family reasons. He played in mid-March at LIV Golf's South Africa tournament, finishing tied for 48th. He skipped April's Masters, where he is a three-time champion.

The Farms issued a statement after Golf Digest presented its reporting on the alleged incident, while not mentioning Mickelson by name.

"The Farms Golf Club is committed to maintaining a golf club environment that is safe, respectful and reflects the highest standards of conduct," the club's 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."

Tom Clare, a defamation attorney representing Mickelson, also issued a statement on Wednesday: "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 rumors."

--Field Level Media