Phil Mickelson withdraws from the Masters tournament due to a family health issue

Three times Masters champion Phil Mickelson issued a statement on Thursday saying he will not play in this year’s tournament.

“Unfortunately, I will not be playing in next week’s Masters and will be away for an extended period as my family continues to deal with a personal health matter,” Mickelson’s statement on social media said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Phil Mickelson plays a shot from the fifth tee during LIV Golf South Africa at The Club at Steyn City in Johannesburg on March 20, 2026. (Johan Renner/Getty Images)

“I wish everyone good luck and I will be watching.”

Augusta National President Fred Ridley also issued a statement following Mickelson’s decision.

Tiger Woods refuses to drive Ryder Cup after DWI car accident

“We know how much Phil loves the Masters, and everyone will miss him at Augusta next week,” Ridley’s statement said. “He has our full support as he takes time to be with his family.”

Mickelson, 55, missed four goals LIV Golf Events Earlier this year, he noted that he was dealing with a “family health matter.”

Phil Mickelson walks the 16th fairway during LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana, August 16, 2025. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

He was on the course in South Africa two weeks ago, leading the HyFlyers GC team for the event. Mickelson finished tied for 48th in the event.

The Mickelson Masters announcement comes after Woods stepped away from golf to “seek treatment” following a DUI arrest following a rollover crash Friday on Jupiter Island, Florida.

Woods, a 15-time major winner and five-time Masters champion, and Mickelson sat at the top of the golf world, from the late 1990s through the 2000s. While Woods sat at the top of the world golf rankings, Mickelson was his toughest competitor, winning six major championships during his career.

HyFlyers GC’s Phil Mickelson walks onto the first green during the semifinals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort on Aug. 23, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagine Images)

Click here to download the FOX NEWS app

So, two of golf’s icons won’t be at Augusta National next week, when the 90th Masters begins on Thursday, April 9.

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on X And subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.