Phil Mickelson, who has been absent from public life for six months, has spent time in a rehabilitation center, with outspoken pundit Brandel Chamblee saying the six-time major champion will be welcomed back to golf.
Phil Mickelson was checked into a clinic specializing in trauma and addiction during his ongoing absence from golf.
The six-time major champion has not played competitively for six months due to a “family health matter”.
According to TMZ Sports, Mickelson voluntarily checked into a program in California for treatment and has since left the facility. “Phil was seeking treatment for family trauma and addiction,” Mickelson’s representative told the US outlet.
Mickelson’s only start this year came at LIV Golf South Africa in March. Yet during his absence, the 56-year-old has been at the centre of allegations concerning inappropriate behavior and misconduct.
It was reported by Golf Digest in June that Mickelson had his membership revoked by his home course, The Farms Golf Club in San Diego, after being accused of inappropriate behavior by a female employee.
Revered journalist Alan Shipnuck then reported further allegations leveled against Mickelson, including an incident that involved him showing a nude photo of himself to another professional golfer’s wife. Shipnuck’s report quoted Ashley Perez, the ex-wife of former LIV Golf star Pat Perez, who claimed Mickelson showed her the lewd photo while Pat was absent from the room.
“Phil says to me, ‘I’m going to leave my bedroom door open tonight,’” Mrs Perez was quoted as saying in Shipnuck’s article. “When Pat falls asleep I want you to come see me. We were staying next door to Phil, and Pat still had to play in the tournament.”
Mickelson was claimed to have later apologised, while his legal team responded by accusing Shipnuck’s report of being an “anonymously sourced drive-by shooting.”
Brandel Chamblee on Phil Mickelson’s future
Brandel Chamblee has been one of Mickelson’s most vocal critics since his controversial move to LIV Golf four years ago. But the former PGA Tour pro turned Golf Channel analyst believes there is a pathway back for the left-hander into the professional golf world.
“I think we’re in a pretty forgiving world,” Chamblee said on the We Need a Fourth podcast.
“He’s obviously got his demons that he fights, and I wouldn’t wish them on anybody, but he’s not alone in fighting demons. I think if he hadn’t gone to LIV, he would have been Arnold Palmer reincarnated.
“He would have been Ryder Cup captain numerous times. He would have been an honorary starter at Augusta. He would have been the lead analyst at CBS. He would have been the pied piper everywhere he went.”
Chamblee outlined how Mickelson could be welcomed back into elite golf’s inner sanctum.
He added: “I think if he came back and said, ‘Look, I’ve made mistakes, I’ve tried to deal with them, sorry for the damage I’ve caused. The game’s been so good to me. And for the rest of my life, I’m going to try and be good back to it.’ I think everyone would put their arms around him and go, ‘Welcome back, sorry you had so much trouble, hope you get your life straightened out.’
“Life’s hard, it doesn’t matter who you’re talking into, running into. Everybody’s dealing with something. Everybody’s got some battle that they’ve faced or will face.”