Phil Mickelson Withdraws from The Masters Due to Family Health Matter
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson has officially withdrawn from this year’s tournament, citing a personal health matter involving his family. This decision comes as a significant blow to fans and the golfing community, especially given Mickelson’s deep connection to the event.
In a social media post, Mickelson shared the news, stating, “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.” His absence marks a rare moment in the history of the tournament, as it will be the first time neither he nor Tiger Woods will be present since 1994.
A Historic Absence
The last time both Mickelson and Woods were absent from the Masters was in 1994, when Woods was still a high school senior and Mickelson had suffered a broken leg while skiing earlier that year. Now, with both players stepping away due to personal reasons, the event is set to look quite different.
Mickelson, who has won the Masters in 2004, 2006, and 2010, has always considered the tournament to be the most special week of the year. His first victory came in 2004, when he secured the title with a dramatic birdie on the final hole, winning by just one shot. He remains one of only eight players to have won the Masters at least three times.
A Legacy of Excellence
Mickelson’s career has been defined by his performances at Augusta National. In the 2009 Masters, he and Tiger Woods played together in the final round. Despite starting the day seven shots behind the leader, Mickelson made a strong push with a six-under front nine. However, a costly double bogey on the par-3 12th derailed his chances, and he finished in a tie for fifth, three shots behind the winner. Woods, meanwhile, ended up further back.
As the defending champion from 2005, Woods also presented Mickelson with his second green jacket in 2006, marking a memorable moment in their rivalry and friendship.
Personal Challenges and Career Shifts
Mickelson has not disclosed specific details about the current family matter. However, it is known that he missed all but one of the five LIV Golf events this year. He returned to competition two weeks ago in South Africa, where he tied for 48th in a field of 57 players.
“It’s just fun to be back playing,” he said after the event. This return came after a period of absence, during which he focused on his personal life.
The only other time Mickelson missed the Masters was in 2022, when he took a leave of absence following controversial remarks about the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour. In a Golf Digest interview, he criticized the PGA Tour for what he called “obnoxious greed.” In another interview, he downplayed concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the PGA Tour.
These comments led to a loss of corporate sponsorships, and Mickelson eventually joined LIV Golf later that year.
The Masters Lineup
The upcoming Masters will feature a 91-man field, with one spot still available if the winner of this week’s Texas Open is not already eligible. The tournament is set to begin next Thursday night (AEDT), and while the absence of two of its most iconic players will be noticeable, the event will continue to showcase some of the best talent in the sport.
