Three-time green jacket winner Phil Mickelson has announced he will skip this year's Masters, stepping away from professional golf for an "extended period" to focus on a family health situation.
The veteran golfer, who made his debut at Augusta National back in 1991, has rarely missed the prestigious tournament, with this marking only his fourth absence in over three decades.
Taking to X to share the news with fans, Mickelson stated:
"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. 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."
The announcement confirms a historic void at Augusta National. With Tiger Woods also sidelined, the upcoming tournament—scheduled for April 9 to 12—will be the first Masters since 1994 to feature neither of the two iconic rivals.
Mickelson's schedule on the LIV Golf circuit has been heavily disrupted this year. Citing the same family matter on February 1, he withdrew from the first four tournaments of the 2026 season, missing stops in Riyadh, Adelaide, Hong Kong, and Singapore. While he made a brief return last month at Steyn City in South Africa—finishing tied for 48th—speculation remained high regarding his readiness for the first major of the year.
Mickelson previously missed the Masters in 2022 amid heavy controversy surrounding his comments on the inception of the LIV Golf league and the PGA Tour. He returned to play last year but ultimately missed the cut.
Despite his recent sporadic schedule, Mickelson's legacy at Augusta remains cemented. Along with a 2013 Open Championship victory and two US PGA Championships, his three Masters titles put him in elite company. He trails only Jack Nicklaus (six), Woods (five), and Arnold Palmer (four) for the most wins in the tournament's storied history.