Legendary golfer Phil Mickelson has pulled out of next week’s Masters and is taking an ‘extended period of time’ away from golf to deal with a mysterious family health issue.
Mickelson, 55, is a three-time winner at Augusta National and had been listed among the participants for the 2026 tournament, but he has now revealed he won’t tee it up in Georgia for the biggest event on the calendar.
Posting on X, he wrote: ‘Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter.
‘I have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club and it is definitely the most special week of the year. I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.’
Mickelson’s absence follows the news that Tiger Woods will also not play in the wake of his DUI arrest and upcoming stint in rehab, and it will be the first time since 1994 that the tournament won’t feature at least one of the high-profile pair.
Lefty Mickelson won the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010, but has become something of a pariah at Augusta in recent years following his defection to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour.
Phil Mickelson, pictured in his last tournament in South Africa, has pulled out of the Masters
Mickelson is a three-time winner at Augusta National, but last won 16 years ago in 2010
Mickelson missed four LIV events for a personal matter he had to attend to with his wife, Amy
He has missed multiple events on LIV’s 2026 calendar due to the unspecified family health issue, which he revealed meant he could not leave the US with his wife Amy.
LIV has played events in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa this year, but Mickelson only made his return in the latter a fortnight ago.
In a statement revealing the news on February 1, he said: ‘I will not be able to participate in the first two LIV events as Amy (Mickelson’s wife) and I need to be present for a family health matter.’
Mickelson and his wife Amy have three children, but no further information has been given as to the nature of the family health issue.
Amy has previously battled breast cancer, with Phil suspending his golf schedule in May 2009 to support her with her treatment.
She underwent major surgery and treatment and subsequently made a full recovery, being given the all-clear shortly before Phil’s third Masters win in April 2010.
