For the first time in over three decades, something feels unmistakably different about the Masters Tournament. It is true that the streaming and the coverage lineups are different this year, but this is about the field. Both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have a special place in their hearts for the Masters. However, none of them will be playing at Augusta National for their own personal reasons.

“This will be the first Masters with no Phil and/or Tiger since 1994,” Shane Bacon wrote in an X post.

The post also features an image of Phil Mickelson’s official statement about the Masters 2026.

“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,” he said in the statement.

Phil Mickelson announced his absence on April 1, 2026, via social media. He cited an ongoing family personal health matter that requires an extended break. The 6x major winner had been on a break since February 2026. He was also absent from the LIV Golf season-opener in Riyadh. In fact, he has only played one event yet on LIV Golf this season, and it was the recently concluded South Africa event.

Speaking of Tiger Woods, he has taken a break not only from golf but also from the media following his DUI arrest. On March 27, 2026, the 50-year-old was arrested for DUI in Florida and spent 8 hours in jail. After facing a lot of backlash from fans and media, he decided to get away and get treated.

“I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health, Tiger Woods said in a statement on March 31, 2026. “I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”

Stephen A. Smith tore apart the veteran golfer’s request for privacy. He said that the 15x major champion should assure people that it won’t happen again, since this was his second DUI arrest and 3rd accident.

Since he has stepped away for a while, he won’t be playing in the 2026 Masters. After making his debut in 1995, this will only be the 6th time he won’t be playing the season’s first major. The other five times he missed were in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2025. However, amid his absence, Phil Mickelson was playing the Masters in those five years, as well as others.

In 2014, 2016, and 2025, the LIV golfer missed the cut. In 2017 and 2021, he finished at T22 and T55, respectively. But this time, both of them are absent, just like in 1994. Tiger Woods debuted in 1995, while Phil Mickelson skipped the 1994 Masters because of a skiing injury. Now, after 32 years, their absence will break the 32-year-old record of either of the two playing the season’s first major.

While the two have been playing the Masters and several other majors together for a very long time, they have a very bitter relationship.

Tiger Woods’ and Phil Mickelson’s rivalry

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson share one of golf’s most iconic rivalries. It started with early tension and has now become silent mutual respect, which they don’t show.

Reportedly, their competitive friction ignited in 1998 at a Nissan Open practice round. Phil Mickelson won a $500 bet and left photocopied $100 bills in Woods’ locker. This led to the young gun’s fury. After the incident, the 5x Masters champion avoided practice rounds with Lefty for nearly 20 years.

The relationship warmed in 2016 during Ryder Cup preparations. Mickelson was playing in the biennial event, while Woods was an assistant captain. Phone calls on strategy helped build rapport. They finally played a practice round together at the 2018 Masters, ending a two-decade gap.

While their rivalry grew into respect for each other, they still don’t share pleasantries. In fact, if anything, the distance between the two only grew when Phil Mickelson joined LIV Golf in 2022.

Even the long-standing rivalry between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson adds another layer to this moment, as two players who rarely shared common ground are now absent from the same Masters Tournament.