Phil Mickelson Hires Defamation Lawyer After 55-Year-Old Golfer's Club Expulsion

Q: If police found no evidence of assault, why was Phil Mickelson so swiftly expelled from his exclusive golf club?

Phil Mickelson could be expelled quickly because a private club does not need a criminal case to act. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said it found no evidence of assault and had not received an official report, but that is a criminal-law standard. The Farms Golf Club was free to apply its own membership rules and workplace-conduct policies. According to the club, it opened an independent investigation into a staff member’s misconduct complaint and then revoked Mickelson’s membership. Private clubs and employers can discipline or remove members if they believe conduct toward employees was inappropriate, harassing, or created a safety or workplace risk, even if police do not file charges. The legal question for the club is not only whether a crime can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, but whether the alleged behavior violated club standards or exposed the club to liability. That risk is significant when an employee reports unwanted physical contact. If a club appears to ignore such a complaint, it can face claims tied to harassment, retaliation, or failure to protect staff. Acting swiftly can also be a way to show employees and members that complaints will be taken seriously. Mickelson, through his lawyer, denies wrongdoing and says evidence will clear him. But the club’s decision appears to have been based on its own internal review and duty to protect staff and the club environment, not on whether police could establish a criminal assault case.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 13

Tom Clare, representing Phil Mickelson, said the golfer has retained defamation counsel to pursue anyone spreading what he called speculation or false rumors tied to misconduct allegations.
The move follows Mickelson's removal from The Farms Golf Club after a female employee accused him of nonconsensual, inappropriate physical contact before a round this spring.
The club said it supported the employee, conducted an independent investigation under California law and ended Mickelson's membership; Clare said video evidence will clear him.
Mickelson, 55, has played only one of LIV Golf's nine completed events this season because of a family health matter and is not entered in next week's U.S. Open.