Phil Mickelson will be absent from next week’s PGA Championship due to a ‘personal health matter’ with his family. The six-time major winner, who missed last month’s Masters, is expected to be out for an ‘extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter.’
Mickelson has played in just one LIV Golf event this season, with his only appearance on the tour coming back in March in South Africa, where he finished tied 48th out of 57. Despite still being listed in the PGA Championship field at Aronimink (May 14–17), his withdrawal has now been confirmed, with fellow American Max Homa replacing him.
In a report from Fox Sports, Mickelson is quoted as saying: “I wish I could [play]. I can’t unfortunately. I’m hoping to play the rest of the year after that but I honestly don’t know.”
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil addressed the media in Virginia on Tuesday morning and was asked about Mickelson.
“Yeah, I talked to Phil yesterday, sorry he can’t make it today,” he said. “I just want to be really sensitive. We all have things going on in our lives that are personal, and his is. I have a lot of love and respect for him as a human being and certainly have respect for him as what he’s accomplished in his career, and his presence is really helpful. So I hope he comes back soon.
“I will tell you that his presence is missed by – like I miss him, I miss his presence at events. He carries a ton of weight in every room he walks. That’s not only because he’s a six-time major champion, but he’s got gravitas, and that comes with something that’s way beyond winning. Yes, he’s one of the guys helping me, of course.”
It was back in February that Mickelson first announced that he would be stepping away from golf ahead of a LIV Golf event. Mickelson revealed that he and his wife, Amy, needed to ‘be present for a family health matter.’
“I will not be able to participate in the first two LIV Events as Amy and I need to be present for a family health matter,” he wrote in a statement on Instagram.
“I can’t wait to compete again and look forward to rejoining my teammates as soon as possible. In the meantime, Ollie Schniederjans will step in for me in Riyadh as I root on HyFlyers GC from afar.”
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In April, Mickelson released a similar statement ahead of the Masters, noting once again that a ‘personal health matter’ would keep him away from Augusta National.
“Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate s personal health matter,” the golfer wrote in a statement.
“I have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club and it is definitely the most special week of the year.”
Mickelson has won three Masters titles, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship. His 2021 PGA Championship triumph made him the oldest major champion at 50.
The PGA Championship will start on Thursday, May 14 and run until May 17, taking place at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
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