NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
As Tiger Woods steps away from golf and won’t play in next week’s Masters, another golf legend won’t be on the course at Augusta National Golf Club.
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson released a statement Thursday saying he will not play in this year’s tournament.
“Unfortunately, I will not be competing in the Masters Tournament next week and will be away for an extended period of time as my family continues to deal with a personal health issue,” Mickelson said on social media.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
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 everyone good luck and I’ll be watching.”
Augusta National President Fred Ridley also released a statement after Mickelson’s decision.
TIGER WOODS DENIES RYDER CUP CAPTAIN AFTER DUI AND CAR ACCIDENT
“We know how much Phil loves the Masters tournament, and everyone at Augusta next week will miss him,” Ridley’s statement said. “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 he noted he was dealing with a “family health issue.”
Phil Mickelson hits 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 on the course in South Africa two weeks ago, leading his HyFlyers GC team for the event. Mickelson finished tied for 48th in the event.
Mickelson’s announcement at the Masters comes after Woods stepped away from golf “for treatment” following a drunk driving arrest after a rollover Friday at Jupiter Island, Florida.
Woods, a 15-time major winner and five-time Masters champion, and Mickelson were at the top of the golf world, starting in the late 1990s and throughout the 2010s. While Woods usually topped the world golf rankings, Mickelson was his toughest competitor, winning six majors during his storied career.
Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC walks the first green during the semifinals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort on August 23, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
So two golf icons will not be at Augusta National next week, when the 90th edition of the Masters begins on Thursday, April 9.
