The 2026 Masters Tournament will move forward without one of its most iconic figures, as Tiger Woods will not compete at Augusta National this year. The five-time Masters champion is sidelined as he focuses on his health following a recent car crash and legal issues stemming from a DUI charge, marking a significant absence from the season’s first major.
Woods’ absence alone would reshape the tournament narrative, but the field will also be without another legendary name. Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion, has officially withdrawn due to an ongoing family health matter. In a statement shared publicly, Mickelson expressed regret about missing what he has long called the “most special week of the year,” while emphasizing the need to prioritize his family during this time.
Mickelson’s decision continues a pattern seen earlier this season, as he missed multiple LIV Golf events for the same reason. Despite briefly returning to competition, his extended absence signals that the situation remains serious and unresolved.
Together, the absence of Woods and Mickelson removes two of golf’s most recognizable and influential figures from Augusta, where both players have helped define modern Masters history. Woods, a 15-time major champion, famously captured his fifth green jacket in 2019, one of the most celebrated comebacks in sports. Mickelson, known as “Lefty,” claimed his Masters victories in 2004, 2006, and 2010, cementing his legacy as one of the tournament’s most beloved competitors.
Their absence opens the door for a new generation of stars to take center stage, while also shifting fan expectations for the week. Even without two legends in the field, Augusta National remains the ultimate proving ground, where tradition meets opportunity and new champions emerge.
As the tournament begins April 9, the spotlight will turn to the world’s top-ranked players—but the missing presence of Woods and Mickelson will undoubtedly be felt throughout the grounds.
