Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods to miss 2026 Masters

Two golf legends withdraw from signature major due to personal matters

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:06am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented golf tournament, with overlapping planes of muted greens, browns, and grays, punctuated by flashes of white representing the golf ball and clubs.The absence of golf legends Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods leaves a void at the 2026 Masters, opening the door for a new champion to emerge.Jupiter Island Today

Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson announced he will miss the 2026 Masters tournament next week, citing a personal family health matter that will keep him out for an extended period. This comes after fellow golf icon Tiger Woods also said he will not be playing in the Masters, as he steps away from the sport to seek treatment following a recent DUI arrest and rollover crash.

Why it matters

The absences of Mickelson and Woods, who have dominated the sport for decades, will be a significant loss for the Masters tournament and leave a void in the field. Their storied rivalry and combined 18 major championships have made them two of the most iconic figures in golf history.

The details

Mickelson, 55, said in a statement that he will not play in the Masters next week and will be out for an extended time as his family continues to navigate a personal health matter. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley expressed the tournament's support for Mickelson during this time. Woods, a 15-time major winner and 5-time Masters champion, recently announced he was stepping away from golf 'to seek treatment' following a DUI arrest and rollover crash in Florida.

  • Mickelson missed four LIV Golf events earlier this year due to the family health matter.
  • Mickelson finished tied for 48th in a LIV Golf event in South Africa two weeks ago.
  • The 90th Masters tournament is scheduled to tee off on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Phil Mickelson

A three-time Masters champion and one of the most successful and iconic golfers of his generation, who has won 6 major championships over his storied career.

Tiger Woods

A 15-time major champion and 5-time Masters winner, considered one of the greatest golfers of all time and Mickelson's longtime rival atop the sport.

Fred Ridley

The Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, which hosts the annual Masters Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Phil Mickelson

“We know how much Phil loves the Masters tournament, and he will be missed by everyone in Augusta next week. He has our complete supports as he takes time to be with his family.”

— Fred Ridley, Augusta National Chairman

What’s next

The 90th Masters tournament will proceed without two of golf's all-time greats, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, leaving the field wide open for a new champion to emerge.

The takeaway

The absences of Mickelson and Woods, who have defined the sport for over two decades, will be a significant loss for the 2026 Masters and leave a void in the tournament's star power. However, their personal matters take priority, and the golf world will eagerly await their returns to the course when the time is right.