Mickelson withdraws from Masters; three share lead at Aramco C’ship

Phil Mickelson, a six-time major winner and three-time Masters champion, said Thursday he will not compete in next week’s 90th Masters due to a family health issue.

The 55-year-old American left-hander, who plays in the LIV Golf League, won the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010 and was a runner-up at Augusta National in 2023 to Spain’s Jon Rahm.

“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,” Mickelson posted on X.

“I have a 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.”

This year will mark the first time since 1994 that both Mickelson and 15-time major winner Tiger Woods will miss the Masters.

Woods said on Tuesday he was taking an extended break from golf for treatment after being involved in a car crash last Friday and charged with suspicion of DUI, a charge to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Mickelson has played every year since 1995 except 2022, the year Woods returned after suffering severe leg injuries in a 2021 car crash in California.

Mickelson missed the first four events of this year’s LIV Golf campaign before debuting last month in South Africa, sharing 48th.

Mickelson became the oldest major winner in history at age 50 when he captured the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

Meanwhile, reigning women’s British Open champion Miyu Yamashita bounced back from an early bogey to join a three-way tie for the lead on Thursday in the LPGA Aramco Championship.

The 24-year-old from Japan had an eagle and four birdies on the way to a five-under par 67 at Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, and shared the first-round lead with compatriot Nasa Hataoka and American Lauren Coughlin.

“The course is tough, but it’s fun to figure it out,” said Yamashita, the world number six who captured her first major title at Royal Porthcawl last year and added a title in Malaysia on the way to earning Rookie of the Year honors.

She teed off on 10 and bogeyed the 15th, but bounced back with an eagle at the par-five 18th and added four birdies coming in.

Agencies