Phil Mickelson has announced he will not be playing in The Masters next week due to an ongoing “family health matter”.
Mickelson, who won The Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010 and has made 28 cuts around Augusta National, announced the news via social media on Thursday.
The 55-year-old six-time major champion finished tied for second when Jon Rahm won The Masters in 2023.
Mickelson missed the first four LIV Golf events of the year and said he will remain “out for an extended period of time”.
“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 wrote.
“I have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club and it’s definitely the most special week of the year. I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.“
A statement from Masters chairman Fred Ridley read: “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.”
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Relive Mickelson’s last appearance at the PGA Championship in 2021 when he became the oldest ever major winner at 50
Mickelson announced in February he would miss the opening two LIV Golf tournaments this year – in Riyadh and Adelaide – and later missed events in Hong Kong and Singapore.
He returned to action last month at LIV Golf South Africa in Steyn City, where he finished tied in 48th place, but question marks remained over whether he would make Augusta.
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A look back to 2016 when Henrik Stenson defeated Mickelson in a final-round masterclass at Royal Troon
Mickelson, who missed the cut at last year’s Masters, has also won two PGA Championships (2005 and 2021) and triumphed at The Open at Muirfield in 2013.
This year’s Masters would have been his 33rd start at Augusta, while only seven other players have won the tournament three times.
Who will win The Masters? Watch the opening major of the year exclusively live from April 9-12 on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the first round begins on Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.
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