Phil Mickelson reportedly checked himself into treatment center for 'family trauma and addiction'

Longtime PGA Tour star and LIV Golf member Phil Mickelson recently checked himself into an addiction treatment center amid his extended absence from the sport, according to multiple reports.

Mickelson reportedly checked himself in voluntarily, and is already out of the facility. He was “seeking treatment for family trauma and addiction,” a representative for Mickelson told TMZ. Further specifics are not yet known.

Mickelson announced before the Masters in April that he was stepping away from golf due to a “personal health matter” in his family. He did not get into specifics, but he hasn’t played anywhere since. He was briefly entered into the field at the PGA Championship in May, but withdrew and said he “unfortunately” could not play.

Mickelson was also accused of inappropriate conduct at The Farms Golf Club near San Diego earlier this year, and he’s no longer a member at that club. Mickelson was accused of “nonconsensual and inappropriate physical conduct” by a female employee before a round. Mickelson’s spokesman called it a “misunderstanding” that has “been cleared up.”

Mickelson has been open about his gambling addiction in the past, too. A book released in 2023 even alleged that Mickelson has bet a total of at least $1 billion, and his losses reached as much as $100 million. He even allegedly bet on the 2012 Ryder Cup while he was on the team, though he’s denied this, and his longtime gambling partner Billy Walters was convicted of insider trading in 2017. Mickelson had to forfeit almost $1 million in earnings gained through stock tips he received from Walters in the case.

Mickelson was once a dominant force on the PGA Tour. He won 45 times on Tour and has six major championship titles to his name, most recently at the PGA Championship in 2021. He was a driving force behind the creation of LIV Golf and subsequent feud within the sport, too. He drew plenty of criticism for comments he made about partnering with Saudi Arabia early on, though LIV Golf has since lost its funding from the country’s Public Investment Fund. Mickelson played in just a single LIV Golf event last season.

With LIV Golf’s future up in the air, and Mickelson still away from competitive golf dealing with off-course issues, it’s unclear when he may return.