Phil Mickelson Opens Up On His Rehab Stint

Phil Mickelson checked himself into a treatment facility earlier this year as he dealt with "family trauma and addiction," according to a statement from his representatives provided to multiple media outlets .

The disclosure adds context for Mickelson's prolonged absence from professional golf during a 2026 season in which the six-time major champion was almost absent from competition.

Mickelson, 56, is no longer at the facility. He played just once on the LIV Golf schedule , appearing at the league's event in South Africa, and missed all four major championships. He had exemptions that would have allowed him to compete in three of them.

His absence initially came with considerably less detail. Mickelson cited a "family health matter" when he stepped away from LIV Golf early in the season. In April, when confirming he would not play in the Masters, he said that he and his family were dealing with a "personal health matter."

More information emerged as the year progressed.

In June, reports indicated that Mickelson had lost his membership at The Farms Golf Club, his longtime club in Rancho Santa Fe, following an allegation that he made inappropriate, non-consensual contact with a female employee. The Farms did not publicly identify Mickelson, but the club confirmed that an incident had taken place and that a member had been removed.

Mickelson's attorney denied the allegations and said that "any misunderstanding has been cleared up." At the time, his attorney again said Mickelson was focused on a family health matter.

Weeks later, Ashley Perez, professional golfer Pat Perez's ex-wife, publicly described several alleged incidents involving Mickelson. Among her accusations was a claim that Mickelson propositioned her for sex in 2015.

After publishing Perez's account, Mickelson's attorney released another statement that offered a clearer indication of what Mickelson had been dealing with privately, saying he was in recovery and had the support of his wife, Amy.

"Recovery is not a straight line," the statement said. "Throughout their 35-year relationship, his wife, Amy Mickelson, has supported Mr. Mickelson and their family with extraordinary grace, unwavering love and the belief that people are measured not only by their failures, but by what they do to make them right."

The statement continued by saying Mickelson's priority was becoming "the husband, father, and man his family deserves," while asking that the family's private health matters remain private.

Mickelson has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with gambling addiction, making addiction a subject he had addressed well before the latest disclosure about his treatment.

A Major-Championship Streak Comes to an End

These developments have unfolded amid a dramatic shift in Mickelson's presence in professional golf. Once one of the sport's most recognizable and consistently discussed players, he has become increasingly limited in his competitive appearances. At the same time, a series of controversies and personal issues have drawn attention away from his play.

The 2026 season represented the most striking example yet. Mickelson failed to appear in any of golf's four majors for the first time since 1989, ending a run that stretched across more than three decades.

Now, a statement from his representatives fills in part of what happened during those months away. What had previously been described publicly as a family or personal health matter included Mickelson entering treatment for family trauma and addiction. At the same time, his golf career was effectively placed on hold.