Phil Mickelson, the six-time major golf champion, recently sought treatment at an addiction facility, according to a statement from his representative. The LIV Golf player entered the program earlier this year to address family trauma and addiction, though no further details about the specifics of his stay have been disclosed.
Mickelson has since left the treatment center, his representative confirmed. The timing of his stay aligns with his extended absence from competitive golf, which he attributed to a personal health matter in April. He has played just one LIV Golf event this year, the LIV Golf South Africa in March, where he finished tied for 48th place.
Background on Mickelson’s recent absence
Mickelson announced in February that he would miss the first two LIV Golf events of the year to be present for a family health matter involving his wife, Amy Mickelson. In April, he withdrew from the Masters, stating he would be out for an extended period as his family navigated the personal health issue. He later pulled out of the PGA Championship for the same reason.
In June, Golf Digest reported that a female staff member at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe accused Mickelson of making nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with her months earlier. Mickelson’s attorney, Tom Clare, denied the allegations, stating that video evidence contradicted the claims. A spokesperson for Mickelson said at the time that any misunderstanding had been cleared up and that he was focusing on his family’s health.
Mickelson’s history with gambling addiction
Mickelson has previously spoken openly about his struggles with gambling addiction. In a 2023 Instagram post, he admitted that he had crossed the line from moderation into addiction, acknowledging that his behavior had harmed his relationships. He credited his wife, Amy, with helping him through recovery and described years of professional help to repair the damage caused by his addiction.
In September 2023, Mickelson announced he would not bet on football that season, citing his ongoing recovery. Earlier that year, he had denied allegations in a book by Billy Walters about his betting habits, stating that therapy had helped him address the issue.
Mickelson and his wife, Amy, have been married for nearly 30 years and share three children. His representative did not specify whether his recent treatment was directly related to his gambling addiction.