Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson miss majors for first time in 37 years

For the first time in 37 years, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are missing from golf’s major championships. The 2026 season marks a historic shift, as neither legend has competed in any of the year’s four majors-The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, or The Open Championship.

What happened to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson?

Tiger Woods, recovering from back surgery, has not played in a major since the 2024 Open Championship. He withdrew from The Masters this year after a driving incident and has since stepped away from professional golf. Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson has only played one professional event in 2026-LIV South Africa-and has been absent from all majors amid off-course controversies.

Why this marks the end of an era

Since 1989, at least one of Woods or Mickelson has played in every major championship. Mickelson made his major debut that year, and the two rivals have been fixtures in golf’s biggest events ever since. The last time neither competed in the same major was the 2017 U.S. Open. This year’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale is the first since 1993 without either player.

What’s next for Woods and Mickelson?

Woods’ future remains uncertain as he focuses on recovery. Mickelson, now 56, has scaled back his schedule, with no confirmed plans to return to majors. Their absence signals a definitive shift in golf’s landscape, with younger stars like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy now leading the way.