Six-time major winner prioritizes family as league faces change

Phil MickelsonLaPresse

Phil Mickelson will not be part of LIV Golf‘s opening stretch after confirming he is stepping away to address a family health matter, a decision that lands at a fragile moment for the Saudi-backed circuit.

As LIV Golf prepares to begin play in Riyadh and Adelaide, Mickelson‘s absence removes a central figure from a league already navigating transition and scrutiny.

The six-time major champion announced the news in a brief social media statement, explaining that he and his wife, Amy Mickelson, need to remain in the United States.

Mickelson did not elaborate on the nature or severity of the situation, keeping the focus squarely on family rather than speculation.

“I will not be able to participate in the first two LIV events as Amy and I need to be present for a family health matter,” Mickelson wrote. “I can’t wait to compete again and look forward to rejoining my teammates as soon as possible.”

The decision means Mickelson will miss LIV Golf Riyadh, which begins February 4, and LIV Golf Adelaide the following week. Both events were expected to play an outsized role in setting the tone for the league’s fifth season.

A notable absence as LIV Golf faces turbulence

Mickelson‘s delayed start comes at an uneasy time for LIV Golf, which has entered 2026 without several of its early marquee names.

Recent departures by Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed have left the tour leaning more heavily on remaining stars to carry visibility and momentum.

At 55, Mickelson remains one of LIV‘s most prominent ambassadors, serving as captain of HyFlyers GC and a frequent public voice for the league.

His absence in the opening weeks strips the season of a familiar anchor at a time when LIV is trying to reinforce stability and relevance.

HyFlyers GC will turn to 32-year-old Ollie Schniederjans as a replacement for the season opener in Riyadh.

Schniederjans has made only limited LIV appearances and is still seeking his first points in the team format. Whether he will also fill in for Mickelson at Adelaide has not yet been confirmed.

Family first, with an eye on return

While the timing is difficult for LIV, Mickelson‘s message made clear that the decision was unavoidable. It also aligned with a broader theme he has emphasized in recent years: prioritizing family above professional obligations.

Earlier this winter, Mickelson publicly supported Koepka‘s decision to leave LIV and return to the PGA Tour, framing it through a personal lens.

“Whatever he thinks is best for him and his family, I fully support,” Mickelson said at the time. Now, that same principle applies to his own situation.

If circumstances allow, Mickelson could return as early as LIV Golf Hong Kong in early March, where he recorded his best LIV finish last season with a third-place result. Until then, the league will move forward without one of its most influential figures.

For LIV Golf, Mickelson‘s absence underscores how quickly momentum can shift. For Mickelson, it is a reminder that even at the highest levels of professional sport, some decisions transcend the leaderboard.