Phil Mickelson (Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson will not be at Augusta next week. The three-time Masters champion confirmed Thursday that he is stepping away from the 2026 tournament while dealing with a private family health matter.
The decision extends an already interrupted start to his season, with Mickelson having missed the opening four LIV Golf events before a quiet return in South Africa, where he finished 48th. His absence follows closely behind Tiger Woods announcing he will also miss the Masters, marking the first time since 1994 that neither of golf’s defining figures will be in the field.
Phil Mickelson’s Masters withdrawal shifts focus to family
Phil Mickelson shared the update in a brief but heartfelt message on Instagram.
“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.” He added, “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.
”
There was no further detail, and that silence felt intentional. Mickelson has always kept his inner circle protected, even as his career unfolded in full public view.
Over the years, his family has faced health challenges that were shared only when necessary. His wife Amy’s battle with breast cancer in 2009 and his mother Mary’s similar fight both ended in recovery, but those moments offered a glimpse into how tightly the family holds such matters.For now, there is no indication whether this latest issue is connected to those past experiences. What is clear is that Mickelson’s priority has shifted fully away from competition.
Even his recent appearance in South Africa felt like a brief return rather than a full reset. His game showed signs of rust, though that hardly seemed to matter given the circumstances.
In the hours after his announcement, attention drifted to a more personal memory he shared not long ago. A video of his father, Phil Sr., then 88, casually striking a golf ball carried a simple caption: “Today was a great day. My dad is 88 and am so appreciative I still get to play golf with him. Btw, he shoots his age almost every time. Amazing”. It was a reminder of what grounds him beyond trophies and leaderboards.As Augusta prepares for a tournament without two of its most familiar figures, the focus around Mickelson remains where he wants it. Close to home, away from speculation, and centered on family.
