A representative told TMZ Sports that Phil Mickelson has entered a treatment facility to address addiction and family trauma. The 56-year-old golf star has since left the center, although the specific nature of the treatment remains unclear. The news follows months of absence from competitive golf, including his withdrawal from the Masters in April.
The six-day major champion played just one LIV Golf event this year, which took place in March in South Africa. A representative confirmed his visit to PEOPLE on Wednesday, September 30, noting that Mickelson is no longer at the facility. TMZ Sports was the first to break the story, reporting that the concerns were voluntarily addressed.
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Why did he go ahead of the teachers?
Mickelson retired from the game earlier this year to deal with a private family health matter. In a statement posted on April 2, he explained the absence of the Masters Tournament and other events. He wrote that it was going to be “a long time as my family continues to navigate the personal health issue.”
This was not the first time to withdraw. LIV Golf’s first two-year event has passed away. In February, he told fans: “I can’t attend the first two events of LIV Events as Amy and I have to be there for a family health issue.” His wife Amy was a key support system during the difficult times.
The Shadow of the Past Struggles
Golf fans know that Mickelson has been open about his struggles with gambling in the past. He admitted in 2023 that his gambling had become “reckless and inconvenient”. He credited his wife with helping her through her recovery and said he spent hundreds of hours in therapy for the harm she caused.
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During his recovery, he had often heard him say: “You are here, but you are not with us.” Feeling disconnected is a common symptom of addiction. The representative now says his priority is clear. They said: “Mr. Mickelson’s priority should be to become a husband, father, and family man.”
It is not clear if his recent treatment of trauma and family addiction is connected to his gambling history. A representative spoke to reporters confirming no connection between the two issues.
Allegations and Club Bans
Eventually, Mickelson faced serious accusations about his behavior at private clubs. Golf Digest reported in June that he had left the partnership at the Farms Golf Club near San Diego. A female employee there alleged that he made inappropriate physical contact with her.
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The club confirmed and informed him. His lawyer, Tom Clare, said the golfer had resigned. Clare also told Golf Digest that some of the claims were false, something Mickelson had already said was wrong. The lawyer added that “Phil is fully committed to the family health issue.”
Another report about Skratch in June 20 listed nearly 20 witnesses who accused him of inappropriate behavior in two other woods. He dismissed these groups as a mixture of lies and past events. No one has discussed the full story of his life and struggles.
LIV Golf itself faces uncertainty as it seeks new funding after Saudi Arabia’s aid is withdrawn. Mickelson is still expected to play next season, but his return date remains unknown. Jupiter now belongs to his family and to his safety. Not to judge his agent on private matters of public affairs.