Skip to main content
SI

Phil Mickelson Withdraws From Masters, Citing Family Health Issue

The three-time Masters champion has played only one event this year on LIV Golf, and gave a further update on how long he expects to be away from golf.
Bob Harig|
Phil Mickelson has played one LIV Golf event this year.
Phil Mickelson has played one LIV Golf event this year. | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Phil Mickelson, a three-time winner of the Masters and the oldest player in golf history to win a major championship, has withdrawn from next week’s tournament at Augusta National, citing a family health matter.

Mickelson, 55, who has competed just once this year as part of the LIV Golf League, missed the first four events also citing a family matter.

The six-time major winner said he 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.”

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Mickelson has made 28 cuts in 31 appearances at the Masters, which 16 top-10 finishes, including his victories in 2004, 2006 and 2010.

Three years ago, Mickelson shot a final-round 65 to briefly get into contention before finishing in a tie for second with Brooks Koepka, four strokes behind winner Jon Rahm.

With the withdrawals this week of Mickelson and Tiger Woods—who have combined to win eight Masters—this will be the first Masters in 32 years, since 1994, that neither Mickelson nor Woods will compete.

The field is now at 91 players, with the possibility of this week’s winner of the Valero Texas Open getting an invitation if he is not already exempt.

More Golf from Sports Illustrated

Published | Modified
Bob Harig
BOB HARIG

Bob Harig is a senior writer covering golf for Sports Illustrated. He has more than 25 years experience on the beat, including 15 at ESPN. Harig is a regular guest on Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio and has written two books, “DRIVE: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods” and “Tiger and Phil: Golf’s Most Fascinating Rivalry.” He graduated from Indiana University where he earned an Evans Scholarship, named in honor of the great amateur golfer Charles (Chick) Evans Jr. Harig, a former president of the Golf Writers Association of America, lives in Clearwater, Fla.

Home/Golf