Phil Mickelson’s abrupt withdrawal from the 2026 Masters due to a family health crisis underscores a turbulent period for golf’s legends, as the tournament also faces the absence of Tiger Woods following his DUI arrest.
Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has abruptly withdrawn from the 2026 Masters Tournament, which begins on Thursday, April 9. The 55-year-old golf icon announced the decision on Thursday, April 2, citing a “personal health matter” within his family that will require an extended period of absence from competition.
“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,” Mickelson shared via Instagram. “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.”
This marks the second time in 2026 that Mickelson has stepped away from competition for family reasons. In February, he initially announced he would miss two tournaments due to a “family health matter,” but ultimately missed four events before returning to competition at LIV Golf’s South Africa event last month—his first appearance since August 2025. The pattern of extended absences suggests a more serious or ongoing situation than initially disclosed, though Mickelson has not elaborated on the specific nature of the health matter affecting his family.
Mickelson’s connection to the Masters is historic. A three-time champion at Augusta National, his presence has been a cornerstone of the tournament’s narrative for over two decades. His withdrawal creates a significant void in the field, both in terms of competitive storyline and fan engagement. The 55-year-old has been married to his wife, Amy, since 1996, and the couple share three children. Both of his parents, Phil Sr. and Mary, are still alive, though no details about which family member is facing health challenges have been released.
Mickelson’s absence compounds a crisis of star power for the 2026 Masters. The tournament will also be without Tiger Woods, the 15-time major champion, after he was arrested for DUI following a rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, on March 27. Woods, 50, was additionally charged with refusal to submit a blood alcohol level test after declining to provide a urine sample. He has since shared that he will seek treatment outside of the U.S., as reported by AOL.
“Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament fully support Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being,” said Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, on Sunday, March 29. “Although Tiger will not be joining us in person next week, his presence will be felt here in Augusta.” Woods has won the Masters five times, the second-most in history behind Jack Nicklaus.
The simultaneous absence of Mickelson and Woods—two of golf’s most iconic figures of the last quarter-century—represents an unprecedented challenge for the Masters. During a phone call with reporters on Monday, March 30, CBS Sports president David Berson addressed how the broadcast would handle the dual storylines. “Tiger is a story, obviously, wherever he is,” Berson said. “But our job during the Tournament itself will be to cover the Tournament. Tiger obviously has a tremendous legacy at Augusta National with all his Masters victories and his voice in the sport. So, of course, we’ll touch on things as necessary as news dictates. But for coverage of the event itself, we’re going to cover the event.”
For fans, the loss of both players diminishes the tournament’s historical resonance and competitive intrigue. Mickelson’s emotional ties to Augusta and Woods’ legendary record there have been central to the Masters’ identity for years. Their combined absence forces a shift in focus to a new generation of contenders, but also highlights the vulnerabilities of sports’ most revered figures. The personal health crises and legal troubles befalling these icons remind audiences that even the greatest athletes are not immune to life’s challenges.
The 2026 Masters now proceeds without two of its most defining personalities. While the tournament will undoubtedly showcase elite golf, the shadow of Mickelson’s family matter and Woods’ ongoing legal and health issues will loom large. This dual absence marks a pivotal moment for professional golf, signaling a transition away from the era dominated by these two legends and toward an uncertain future where their legacies are still being written off the course.
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