Phil Mickelson has won the Masters three times and played in it 32 times. On April 2, he announced on his X account that he will not be at Augusta for the 2026 tournament, taking a break from competitive golf while his family deals with a personal health issue. For someone who has always treated that tournament like a second home, he made this decision the way he always does: at home in Scottsdale, surrounded by the people who matter most to him. That’s how it’s always been. To understand why, you need to know who Amy McBride is.

Who is Amy Mickelson? Phil Mickelson’s wife and the woman behind every major decision

In 1992, Amy McBride was a junior at Arizona State University and part of the Phoenix Suns cheerleading squad. She did not follow golf and only learned Phil was a professional when he told her. Amy grew up in Brookings, South Dakota, played basketball at the University of Washington, and won two Pac-10 titles before coming to Arizona State. She had no interest in golf at the time. Their first date was on a tennis court. They married on November 16, 1996, four years later.

Amy was present at Augusta for all three of Phil’s wins in 2004, 2006, and 2010. The 2010 victory was different. By then, Amy had spent eleven months battling illness.

Amy Mickelson’s cancer battle

In May 2009, Amy Mickelson was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 37. Phil Mickelson immediately suspended his PGA Tour schedule, withdrawing from planned events. Doctors confirmed the cancer was detected early and could be treated. Within weeks, Phil’s mother, Mary, was diagnosed with the same illness at the same facility.

Phil returned to competition at the FedEx St. Jude Classic once doctors confirmed the prognosis was positive. He went on to win the Tour Championship in September. By the following April, Amy was cancer-free and present at Augusta as Phil claimed his third green jacket.

“We’ve been through a lot this year. It means a lot to share some joy together.”

Now, that sequence appears to be repeating. Earlier this year, Mickelson confirmed on X that both he and Amy are needed at home for a family health issue. He has not disclosed who is affected. What stands out is that 2026 is shaping up to mirror 2009, with family taking priority over competition.

Phil Mickelson’s children: Meet Amanda, Sophia, and Evan Mickelson

The Mickelson children have mostly grown up away from the spotlight, which seems to be a choice their family made together. Amanda Brynn was born on June 21, 1999, just a day after Phil finished second to Payne Stewart at the U.S. Open. She went on to study Egyptology and philosophy at Brown University.

Phil missed the 2017 U.S. Open to attend Amanda’s high school graduation, a choice he said he would never regret. Sophia Isabel, born on October 23, 2001, made her acting debut in the 2019 San Diego film Ruta Madre and has kept a low profile since then.

Evan Samuel was born on March 23, 2003, in a situation that almost took both his and Amy’s lives. Amy suffered a ruptured artery, Evan went seven minutes without breathing, and doctors had to act fast. Years later, Phil still talks about that day with the same emotion as when it happened.

Before the Masters announcement, Mickelson missed the first four LIV Golf events of 2026. His full-time status was already in doubt as others took his place. The real story was elsewhere.

The 2026 Masters starts on April 9. This time, Phil will be watching from home.