Phil Mickelson Out of 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Phil Mickelson will not play in the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, the R&A confirmed, citing an ongoing family health matter involving his wife, Amy. The six-time major winner withdrew after initially submitting an entry as a past champion. It marks the first time since 1990 he has missed all four majors in a single season.
Mickelson’s absence stems from an undisclosed family health issue, reported by *Today’s Golfer* to involve Amy Mickelson. He has played just one competitive event in 2026: a LIV Golf tournament in South Africa: and sat out the Masters, PGA Championship, and U.S. Open.
Fresh allegations of inappropriate behavior from a female employee at a San Diego-area course surfaced around the time of his withdrawal. Mickelson has not commented publicly on either the allegations or his wife’s condition.
Tiger Woods also won’t tee it up at Royal Birkdale. He did not submit an entry by the deadline, marking a second straight year he has missed all four majors. Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a March 27 rollover crash on Jupiter Island, Florida. The case remains open with a not-guilty plea.
Sergio Garcia failed to advance through Final Qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club, the third time in four years he has missed the Open that way. Zach Johnson opted out of his exemption from his 2015 Open win, prioritizing senior majors on the PGA Tour Champions circuit.
Will Zalatoris has not competed since April due to lingering injury problems, including a disc replacement and a left ankle issue. Tony Finau withdrew from the Genesis Scottish Open amid ongoing form struggles.
At 56, Mickelson has played only one event in 2026. His last competitive round came at the LIV Golf event in South Africa in February. The missed majors streak breaks a run that stretched 35 years, from his debut at the 1991 U.S. Open through the 2025 PGA Championship.
Mickelson remains a fixture in golf headlines, largely for his LIV Golf affiliation and off-course controversies. But his playing schedule has narrowed sharply. He has not finished inside the top 10 at a major since winning the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
No return date has been announced. Mickelson has not entered any upcoming LIV Golf events. The R&A’s exemption list shows he withdrew from the Open after initially being listed. His next possible start would be the LIV Golf event at Greenbrier in August, assuming his personal situation allows.
For now, Royal Birkdale will proceed without one of its most recognizable past champions. The 2026 Open runs July 16-19 in Southport, England.