Phil Mickelson
JOHAN RYNNERs, GETTY IMAGES
A female employee at a San Diego-area country club accused Phil Mickelson of making inappropriate physical contact with her before a round of golf there this spring, an incident a spokesperson for the six-time major champion called a “misunderstanding,” Golf Digest reported last Thursday, citing multiple unnamed sources.
According to the report, officials at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, asked Mickelson to leave the course after the employee reported the incident, a request with which he complied, and he has since resigned his membership.
Mickelson, 55, has competed just once this year, in a LIV Golf event in South Africa in March, citing a “family health matter” for his extended absence. He declined Golf Digest’s request for comment on the allegations, but a Mickelson spokesperson issued a statement that read, “Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf.” READ MORE
“Once that bad Haotong comes in, you just tell him to go away.”
Haotong Li, describing how he keeps negative thoughts at bay after posting a second-round 64 at the RBC Canadian Open.
Minas Panagiotakis, Getty Images
Miles Russell, the 17-year-old junior phenom, qualified for the U.S. Open last Monday with Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, on his bag. He was one of 43 players to earn berths in this week’s championship at Shinnecock Hills via final qualifying.
Russell, the top-ranked player in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, was one of two 17-year-olds to advance from the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, qualifier. He shot 71-67 at BallenIsles Country Club and survived a playoff to claim the fourth and final spot. Fellow teen Giuseppe Puebla, who shot 69-68, was co-medalist.
Both Russell and Woods have verbally committed to attend Florida State in 2027. “It’s the first time I’ve had a buddy on the bag,” Russell told the Associated Press. “I really like it, not talking much golf, just having a good time.”
Russell’s coach, Ramon Bescansa, will caddie for him at Shinnecock Hills, according to multiple reports. READ MORE
Golf Australia has partnered with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to elevate the Capital.com Australian Open, it was announced last Tuesday.
The deal, which covers the 2027, ’28 and ’29 tournaments, will enable the event’s co-sanctioning by the DP World Tour and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and ensure that it “will receive a significant boost in prize money, a distinct window in the global golf calendar and optimise the opportunity to attract the world’s best players,” according to the announcement.
“The Australian Open has a proud history going back to 1904 and is recognised globally as one of the great national championships of world golf,” Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said. “Our ambition is clear. We want the men’s Capital.com Australian Open to be recognised among the top 10 most prestigious golf tournaments globally, and everything we are doing for the event flows from that ambition.”
On Sunday, Golf Australia announced that the state of Victoria will host the national championship in 2027, 2029 and 2030, with the tournament staged on the renowned Melbourne Sandbelt. Following this year’s championship at Kingston Heath Golf Club, Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club will host in 2027.
This year’s championship is scheduled for Dec. 3-6, with Rory McIlroy slated to headline the field for the second consecutive year. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, 65, became the oldest player to make the cut in an LPGA event at last week’s Dow Championship in Midland, Michigan, pairing with 27-year-old Angel Yin to advance to the weekend with rounds of 69-68 in the team event. Inkster and Yin finished T12 after weekend rounds of 70-64. READ MORE
The PGA Tour’s Rocket Classic will be played for the final time in July, tournament director Mark Hollis announced last Tuesday, as mortgage provider Rocket Companies reportedly has declined to exercise its option to remain as title sponsor in 2027. The tournament has been played at Donald Ross-designed Detroit Golf Club since 2019. READ MORE
Marco Penge has withdrawn from the U.S. Open due to health issues, he announced on social media. The 28-year-old Englishman, who has dealt with a sinus infection and vertigo symptoms, said in his post that he is getting close to resolving the issues he has been struggling with for eight months. READ MORE
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen will be the owner of a team representing New York in WTGL, the women’s indoor simulator league featuring LPGA players that will launch next winter, organizers announced last Tuesday. Owned and managed by Cohen Private Ventures, the team joins a portfolio of sports investments that includes TGL’s New York Golf Club, PGA Tour Enterprises and the Mets. READ MORE
Tiger Woods returned home to Florida last Friday from Switzerland, where he reportedly had entered treatment following his DUI arrest in connection with a March auto accident near his home, according to multiple reports. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity
