13/06/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | JUNE 13, 2026

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Lefty kicked out Michelson ejected from golf club after allegations of unwanted physical contact with female staff P HIL MICKELSON has reportedly been expelled from The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, following allegations of unwanted physical con attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf.” Mickelson has played only once this year due to the undisclosed family health matter, missing both the Masters and PGA Championship, and is no longer exempt for the US Open. Ű BY DOUG FERGUSON

tact with a female employee. Golf Digest first reported the incident on Thursday, citing multiple sources. The publica tion detailed that Mickelson, 55, allegedly approached the woman in the clubhouse ear lier this year, making nonconsensual and inap propriate physical contact. The employee reportedly rejected his advances and subsequently reported the inci dent to her supervisors. Following a review and independent investigation, officials at The Farms confronted Mickelson on the course and instructed him to leave the premises. In a statement provided to Golf Digest , The Farms confirmed the expulsion without naming Mickelson: “Following a staff member report of member misconduct, the club provided imme diate and ongoing support to the staff member, conducted a thorough independent investiga tion of the incident and took decisive action. This individual is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club.” The club added: “To protect the safety and privacy of our staff and member, we are unable to speak further on the matter.” Golf Digest verified the employee’s identity but withheld her name for privacy. A spokesperson for Mickelson addressed the allegations, telling Golf Digest : “Any misunder standing has been cleared up. Phil continues to

This latest development adds to a series of controversies for Mickelson, who was a key fig ure in the launch of Saudi-funded LIV Golf. He faced significant backlash and lost major sponsorships in early 2022 after being quoted calling the Saudis “scary mother (expletives),” admitting he was only considering joining the league to gain leverage over the PGA Tour. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is set to end its financial backing of LIV after this year. Mickelson’s past has also included legal scrutiny. He was a relief defendant in an insider trading scheme in 2016 in which he was not criminally charged but agreed to repay nearly US$1 million (RM4m) he made in a single trade. Noted gambler Billy Walters was involved in that case and sentenced to five years in prison. Walters wrote an autobiography in 2023 in which he claims Mickelson has wagered more than US$1 billion (RM4b) over the last 30 years, including one day in 2011 in which Mickelson was said to have placed 43 bets on Major League Baseball that resulted in US$143,500 (RM717,500) in losses. Once a beloved figure in golf, known for his bold play and fan interaction, these incidents mark a challenging period for the 2021 PGA Championship winner. – The Independent

SHORTS

’Serena return exciting’ WIMBLEDON chief executive said the return of 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams (pic) to the sport was “exciting” as speculation mounts that the American could be given a wildcard for this year’s championships. The 44-year-old returned to court for the first time in nearly four years this week as she partnered Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in the doubles at the WTA event at Queen’s Club. Williams, who has seven Wimbledon singles titles, has not confirmed she will return to the All England Club but looks set to be given a wildcard, most likely in the doubles. “I guess what I can say is we can all see how much excitement Serena being back on a tennis court, and particularly back on a grass court, has created,” Sally Bolton, the All England Club’s chief executive, said yesterday. “And so one can only imagine what that would be like if it was the Championship. The wild card committee will make their decisions formally next week and we’ll be communicating those early next week. She has certainly created a fantastic buzz, and that is exciting for the sport.” Williams won her first singles title at Wimbledon in 2002 and her most recent in 2016. She has also won six ladies doubles titles at the grass-court Slam. “And as and when at the (wildcard) meeting next week, I’m sure it won’t ignore her success at

Wimbledon when making that decision,” All England Club Chair Debbie Jevans said. Wimbledon announces 20% rise in prize money WIMBLEDON organisers have announced a record prize pot of £64.2 million (RM334m) for this year’s championships although it may not be enough to placate leading players who are demanding a bigger share of Grand Slam revenue. The prize fund is 20% more than last year with singles champions set to pocket £3.6 million (RM18.7m), up from £3 million (RM15.6m). It is the biggest annual increase in the tournament’s history but comes at a time of escalating demands by players who argue that the four Grand Slams distribute a smaller share of total revenues than other ATP and WTA events. Some players restricted media appearances at the recent French Open and even threatened a future boycott. Wimbledon chair Debbie Jevans said she had discussed prize money with Larry Scott, who is representing several leading players in their pay demands, at the French Open. “Using revenue to determine prize money makes no sense and we have said that to Larry Scott,” Jevans said. “Revenue does not take into account the investment that we give. We are not for-profit, and very different to a Masters 1000. So I am frustrated that message hasn’t got across.”