The three-time Masters champion announces he will miss next week’s major championship and take an extended break from competition.
Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the 2026 Masters Tournament due to an ongoing family health matter. The 55-year-old announced he will be absent from next week’s major championship at Augusta National and will take an extended period away from professional golf.
Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion with victories in 2004, 2006, and 2010, would have competed in his 33rd edition of the tournament. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley expressed full support for Mickelson’s decision.
Recent Return Complicated by Absences
The withdrawal marks a significant development for Mickelson’s 2026 season on the LIV Golf tour. The veteran golfer missed the first four events of the year before making a limited return at LIV Golf South Africa, where he finished tied for 48th place. This latest withdrawal extends his absence from competitive play.
Mickelson’s decision to prioritise family matters over competition underscores the personal challenges he is navigating. The Masters holds special significance in his career, having claimed three green jackets during his competitive peak years—a distinction shared with only six other players in the tournament’s history.
Elite Company in Masters History
The achievement of winning three green jackets places Mickelson among an exclusive group. Only seven other players have accomplished the feat of winning three or more Masters titles, highlighting the rarity and prestige of such sustained success at Augusta National.
Ridley’s public support reflects the respect Mickelson commands within golf’s establishment despite his move to LIV Golf. The chairman’s statement acknowledged the importance of personal circumstances taking precedence over competition schedules.
Mickelson’s absence from the 2026 Masters represents an unscheduled break for one of golf’s most accomplished competitors. The duration of his extended hiatus remains uncertain, though the focus remains firmly on his family situation rather than his competitive calendar.
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