Why Phil Mickelson withdrew from the 2026 Open Championship? Inside the latest update on his extended absence from golf

Phil Mickelson will not play in the 2026 Open Championship, ending a streak of 17 straight appearances at golf’s oldest major. The news was first shared by NUCLR GOLF on X, which noted that the decision had reportedly been made about two weeks before it became public.

The timing of the announcement has drawn attention because it came as new media reports about off course allegations involving Mickelson were published. His attorney has denied wrongdoing, and no criminal charges have been reported. For now, the six time major champion remains away from competitive golf with no clear return date.

Phil Mickelson extends absence from golf as Open Championship withdrawal becomes official

Mickelson, now in his mid 50s, has barely competed during the 2026 season. Earlier this year, he also skipped several LIV Golf events, along with the Masters and the PGA Championship.

His team has repeatedly said he is dealing with a private family health matter that requires his full attention.His decision to miss The Open continues that pattern. It is also the first time he has missed the championship since 2009, when he stepped away to support his wife Amy during her breast cancer treatment.The image shared by NUCLR GOLF alongside the update showed Mickelson holding the Claret Jug from one of his Open Championship victories.

He won the event twice during his career, making this year’s absence even more noticeable.

Phil Mickelson’s future remains uncertain after new reports and attorney response

Around the same time the withdrawal became public, new reports from Golf Digest and Skratch discussed allegations about Mickelson’s off course conduct. Mickelson’s attorney pushed back against those reports, saying some claims were false while others involved old matters that had already been addressed. His representative also said Mickelson remains focused on his family.The reports have led to plenty of discussion among golf fans, especially because Mickelson has stayed out of the public spotlight for most of the season. However, there has been no official announcement about when he plans to return to competition.For many years, Mickelson was one of golf’s biggest stars, winning six major championships and building a large fan following around the world. More recently, his move to LIV Golf, his public admission of a gambling addiction, and now his long absence from the game have kept him in the headlines for reasons beyond his performances on the course.