Phil Mickelson endures brutal return to golf after emotional message on mysterious absence with his wife

Phil Mickelson finally made his return to golf on Thursday, but it was a rusty comeback for the American great who has an appearance at The Masters to prepare for.

He carded a four-over par round of 75 at LIV Golf’s South Africa event at Steyn City – his first competitive action since last August, where he competed in the Saudi-backed tour’s season finale.

The American carded two birdies but also had a double and triple-bogey on his scorecard in what, overall, was some much-needed time on the course under his belt. But he’s going to have to improve fast if he wants to be competitive at Augusta.

Mickelson then revealed back in February that he would be absent from the first two LIV events of 2026 because he and wife Amy had to ‘be present for a family health matter.’

But concern inevitably grew for Mickelson when two missed tournaments turned into four, before his return was finally confirmed earlier this week.

The 55-year-old Mickelson, a six-time Major winner, has chosen not to elaborate on what kept him away from the game for longer than expected but before he teed off this week, he shared a heartfelt message on social media.

Mickelson missed four LIV events for a personal matter he had to attend to with his wife, Amy

‘I’ve really missed seeing everyone and competing,’ Mickelson said as he arrived in South Africa. ‘I’m so excited to be back with the guys this week.’

The timing is crucial for Mickelson, seeing that the first round of The Masters begins in under a month on Thursday, April 9.

Mickelson is in line to make his 34th appearance at the iconic Augusta course, a place where he has emerged victorious on three separate occasions (in 2004, 2006 and 2010).

This week’s LIV event is the last one before the first major of the calendar.

Mickelson endured a tough time at the Majors in 2025, missing the cut in three of the four – including at Augusta. At The Open, held at Royal Portrush, he ended tied 56th.

His highest finish in his final six LIV events in 2025 was tied 23rd, too.

Rory McIlroy will arrive at Augusta as the defending champion this year, completing the Grand Slam with Masters victory in 2025.

The Northern Irishman became just the sixth player to complete golf’s Grand Slam, an honor Mickelson has been on the brink of achieving for years.

The South Africa event gives Mickelson some vital practice before The Masters in April

The US Open is the one event to have evaded Mickelson – agonizingly, he has finished second in the event on six occasions. The most recent was 2013.

His LIV absence came at a bad time for the Saudi-backed rebel tour, too. Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed remarkably quit the tour to return to the PGA circuit – albeit Reed has to make it back via a year with the DP World Tour. 

Now, LIV just need Mickelson to recapture his magic as quickly as possible.