Phil Mickelson checked himself into a treatment facility earlier this year, seeking help for “family trauma and addiction,” according to a statement from his representatives. This reveal comes after a year where the golf legend was largely absent from the course, a stark contrast to his usual presence.
A Season Lost to Off-Course Battles
Mickelson’s battle with family trauma and addiction explains why he missed the majority of the 2026 golf season. He played in just one LIV Golf event, held in South Africa, and remarkably skipped all four major championships. For a six-time major winner, this marked the first time since 1989 he wasn’t teeing it up at the game’s biggest events, even though he had exemptions for three of them. Earlier in the year, Mickelson had cited a “family health matter” for his absence from LIV Golf and later a “personal health matter” when confirming he wouldn’t play in The Masters back in April. It’s clear now the situation was much more severe and deeply personal than initially disclosed.
The Turbulent Waters Mickelson Navigated
The 2026 season wasn’t just quiet for Mickelson; it was plagued by off-course controversies. In June, reports surfaced suggesting he lost his membership at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe following allegations of “inappropriate, non-consensual contact” with a female employee. While The Farms didn’t name Mickelson, they confirmed an incident occurred and a member was removed. His attorney denied the allegations, stating “any misunderstanding has been cleared up” and reiterating his focus on a family health matter. Weeks later, Pat Perez’s ex-wife, Ashley Perez, went public with her own claims, detailing several incidents of Mickelson’s “lewd behavior,” including allegedly propositioning her for sex in 2015. After Perez’s account, Mickelson’s attorney issued another statement, indicating Mickelson was in recovery with the full support of his wife, Amy. That statement emphasized Amy’s “extraordinary grace, unwavering love,” and that Mickelson’s priority is to “become the husband, father, and man his family deserves.” This also isn’t Mickelson’s first public struggle; he has been open about dealing with gambling addiction in recent years.
Mickelson, now 56, has unfortunately seen the focus shift from his on-course performance to these significant off-course issues, moving him to the periphery of the golf conversation. He is no longer at the treatment facility, and his representatives have made it clear that while parts of his life are public, his family’s private matters are not, as he gives his “full attention to a private family health matter.”
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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