Phil Mickelson to miss Masters due to ‘personal health matter’ with family

For the first time since 1994, neither Phil Mickelson nor Tiger Woods will be at the Masters.

Mickelson, 55, announced Thursday he’ll miss the Masters and step away for an extended period “as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter.” Mickelson has played just once since August, missing four of the first five LIV golf events.

The six-time major winner has won the Masters three times, earning his first major championship at the 2004 Masters when he leapt in the air in joy. “Lefty” has found ways to continue to contend in his later years, becoming the oldest major winner in golf history with his 2021 PGA Championship win at Kiawah and a second-place finish at the 2023 Masters.

Even though Mickelson is likely to return in the future, the 2026 Masters now feels like a step away from the past. Woods and Mickelson, eight Masters wins between them, will be absent. Even two-time winner Bernhard Langer, who has at times defied aging, played his final Masters last year at 67. Fred Couples (1992) and José María Olazábal (1994, 1999) are the only two golfers in the field who won a green jacket before 2000.

Scottie Scheffler and Bubba Watson are now the leading Masters winners playing this year, with two wins each. It’s a bit of a new era.

When Mickelson missed the first two LIV events of the season, he said on social media: “I will not be able to participate in the first two LIV events as (wife) Amy and I need to be present for a family health matter. I can’t wait to compete again and look forward to rejoining my teammates as soon as possible.”

In his post Thursday about missing the Masters, he said: “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.”