GOLF: Mickelson to miss Masters, taking 'extended' break due to personal health matter

LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson announced on Thursday that he will not compete in next week’s Masters and will be out indefinitely as he focuses on a personal family health matter.

The three-time Masters champion missed the first four events of LIV Golf’s 2026 season due to the same issue and had just returned to action two weeks ago in South Africa, finishing tied for 48th.

“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, a six-time major winner, said in a statement posted on X.

“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 will be the first time Mickelson misses the year’s first major since 2022, when he took a self-imposed break following revelations from an unauthorized biography that he had described the Saudi organizers of LIV Golf as “scary” while expressing willingness to overlook their human rights record.

Mickelson missed the cut at last year’s Masters. The tournament is scheduled for April 9-12 at Augusta National Golf Club.

-Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters