Phil Mickelson will not play at the PGA Championship next week, even though his name first appeared on the official player list. The update came just hours after fans saw him included. Tournament organizers confirmed he pulled out because of a family health matter. Soon after that, Max Homa was added to take his spot. Mickelson, now 55, has not been playing much this year. He has only played one event so far. His limited schedule is linked to a personal situation at home. While fans were excited to see him return, the latest news made it clear that his focus is still on his family.
Phil Mickelson withdraws from PGA Championship as family health matter keeps him away from golf return
The official statement from tournament organizers made things clear. It said, “Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the 2026 PGA Championship field due to a personal health matter with his family. Max Homa is now in the field.” That short update quickly ended hopes of seeing him compete next week.Mickelson is not just any player in this event. He has won the PGA Championship twice, first in 2005 and then again in 2021. Since his debut in 1993, he has almost always played this tournament. Missing it is rare for him, which shows how serious this situation is.Earlier this year, he had already stepped away from golf for the same reason. In February, he shared a message on That was the first time he spoke openly about it.Then in April, he confirmed he would also miss the Masters. He wrote, “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. I have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club and it is definitely the most special week of the year. I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.”Since then, there have been no new details about what exactly is happening in his family. Mickelson and his wife Amy have three children, but they have kept the situation private.This is not the first time family health has affected his career. Back in 2009, Amy Mickelson was diagnosed with breast cancer. Mickelson paused his golf schedule to be with her during treatment. She later recovered and was declared cancer-free before his Masters win in 2010.At the same time, Mickelson’s absence also comes during an uncertain period for LIV Golf. The league’s future has been unclear after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund said it would stop funding it in the summer. Even though LIV is still running, questions remain about what comes next. Mickelson has been one of its biggest names since joining in 2022. For now, though, golf is clearly not his priority. His latest withdrawal shows that his focus remains firmly on his family.
