Golf Legends Absence from Masters

Another notable absence at Augusta National Golf Club is set as Tiger Woods has decided to step away from golf, meaning he won’t participate in next week’s Masters. This adds to the disappointment for fans, as they were also informed by three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who announced Thursday that he will not be competing either.

Mickelson shared his statement on social media, expressing, “Unfortunately, I will not be competing in next week’s Masters Tournament and will be sidelined for an extended period due to continued personal health issues in my family.” He conveyed well wishes to the competitors, indicating he would be following the tournament from afar.

Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, responded to Mickelson’s announcement. He acknowledged the champion’s love for the Masters: “We know how much Phil loves the Masters Tournament, and everyone at Augusta next week will miss him. He values time with his family, and we have our full support.” It’s clear that Mickelson, 55, is dealing with significant family health matters, having missed several LIV Golf events earlier this year for similar reasons.

Interestingly, just a couple of weeks ago, Mickelson was reportedly in good form in South Africa, even leading his High Flyers GC team. However, he finished tied for 48th in that event. His recent withdrawal from the Masters coincides with Woods taking a hiatus from golf for medical reasons linked to a DUI arrest and a rollover crash.

Both Woods and Mickelson have stood out in the golf world as champions, each bringing their talents to the sport, especially from the late 1990s through the 2010s. While Woods typically led the rankings, Mickelson served as a formidable competitor, securing six majors throughout his impressive career. So, it’s quite a notable turn that neither will be present as the 90th Masters kicks off next Thursday.