Phil Mickelson, the longtime PGA Tour legend and LIV Golf member, recently checked himself into an addiction treatment center, according to multiple reports. The news comes after months of absence from the sport, as he dealt with what was previously described as a “personal health matter” in his family. TMZ was first on the scene with this bombshell report.
Lefty’s Voluntary Step Back: What We Know
Mickelson’s representative told TMZ that he voluntarily checked himself in, seeking treatment for “family trauma and addiction.” The good news is he’s already out of the facility. This all sheds a bit more light on why he stepped away from golf back in April, right before the Masters. He didn’t play anywhere after that and even withdrew from the PGA Championship in May, citing that he “unfortunately” couldn’t play. It’s a tough situation, and the golf world has definitely felt his absence.
Gambling Allegations and Conduct Accusations
This isn’t the first time Mickelson’s personal life has made headlines in a big way. Earlier this year, he faced accusations of “nonconsensual and inappropriate physical conduct” from a female employee at The Farms Golf Club near San Diego, and he’s no longer a member there. His spokesman called it a “misunderstanding” that has “been cleared up.” But the more shocking details involve his past gambling. Mickelson has been open about his gambling addiction before, and a book from 2023 alleged he’d bet at least $1 billion in total, with losses potentially hitting $100 million. There were even allegations he bet on the 2012 Ryder Cup while on the team, though he’s denied that. Plus, his long-time gambling partner, Billy Walters, was convicted of insider trading in 2017, which cost Mickelson almost $1 million in forfeited earnings from stock tips. It’s a heavy history to unpack.
Mickelson was once a dominant force, racking up 45 wins on the PGA Tour and six major championship titles, including the 2021 PGA Championship. He was also a driving force behind LIV Golf, even drawing criticism for comments about partnering with Saudi Arabia. Now, with LIV Golf’s funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund gone, and Mickelson playing in just one LIV Golf event last season, his future in the sport is totally up in the air. It’s unclear when he might return to competitive golf, especially with these off-course issues still unfolding.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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