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As Tiger Woods steps away from golf and will not play in the Masters next week, another golf legend will not be on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club.
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson issued a statement Thursday saying he will not play in this year’s tournament.
“Unfortunately, I will not be playing in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time while my family continues to navigate a personal health issue,” Mickelson’s statement on social media read.
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Phil Mickelson plays a shot from the fifth tee during LIV Golf South Africa at the Steyn City Club in Johannesburg on March 20, 2026. (Johan Rynners/Getty Images)
“I wish you all the best of luck and I will be watching.”
Augusta National President Fred Ridley also issued a statement following Mickelson’s decision.
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“We know how much Phil loves the Masters tournament and we will all miss him at Augusta next week,” Ridley’s statement read. “He has our full support as he takes time to be with his family.”
Mickelson, 55, missed four LIV Golf events earlier this year and noted he was dealing with a “family health issue.”
Phil Mickelson walks the 16th fairway during LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana on August 16, 2025. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
He was in the South African countryside two weeks ago, leading his HyFlyers GC team for the event. Mickelson finished tied for 48 points in the event.
Mickelson’s announcement at the Masters comes after Woods stepped away from golf “to seek treatment” following an arrest for driving under the influence following a rollover accident Friday on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Woods, a 15-time Major winner and five-time Masters champion, and Mickelson were at the top of the golf world, from the late 1990s through the 2010s. While Woods generally held the top of the world golf rankings, Mickelson was his toughest competitor, winning six majors over the course of his storied career.
Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC walks on the first green during the semi-finals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort on August 23, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Image Images)
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So two golf icons will not be at Augusta National next week, when the 90th edition of the Masters begins on Thursday, April 9.
