Phil Mickelson has called the Masters the most special week of the year for three decades. However, this year, a family health matter is keeping him away. And Augusta National’s chairman made clear exactly how much that absence is being felt.
Hours later, Fred Ridley responded with an official statement from The Masters account, expressing the club’s full support: “We know how much Phil loves the Masters Tournament, and he will be missed by everyone in Augusta next week. He has our complete support as he takes time to be with his family.”
Mickelson missing the Masters is not just another withdrawal. He is a three-time champion (2004, 2006, 2010) with 16 top-10 finishes across more than 30 starts, a scoring average of 71.44, and one of the most celebrated short games the tournament has ever seen. His 2004 win, sealed with a 15-foot birdie on the 72nd hole, his dominant back-nine performance in 2006, and his bogey-free final round of 67 in 2010 are all etched into Masters history.
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 2, 2026
Moreover, how recently he competed at the highest level makes his absence even more noticeable. Mickelson tied for second place at Augusta in 2023 after a final-round 65 at 52. He was the oldest player to finish in the top five. In 2024, he finished T43, and this year he finished at T48 in LIV SA.
(this is a developing story..)
