Phil Mickelson Withdraws from PGA Championship: Family Health Matter Takes Priority Over Major Return

In a move that surprises few but disappoints many, Phil Mickelson has officially withdrawn from next week’s PGA Championship. The six-time major champion, who was initially listed in the field released by the PGA of America on Tuesday, confirmed shortly after that he will not be teeing it up at Valhalla Golf Club. “I wish I could. I can’t unfortunately,” Mickelson told Flushing It Golf. “I’m hoping to play the rest of the year after that, but honestly I don’t know.”

The announcement marks another chapter in a deeply uncertain period for one of golf’s most polarizing and talented figures. Mickelson has not played competitively since the LIV Golf event in South Africa earlier this season, and he has been largely absent from the public eye since revealing a “personal health matter” within his family prior to the Masters. The 53-year-old lefty offered no further details, but the weight of the situation was palpable in his brief statement.

The Context: A Season of Silence and Struggle

Mickelson’s absence from the PGA Championship is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader pattern of withdrawal from the game that has left fans and analysts speculating about his future. Since his last competitive round, Mickelson has been a ghost on the leaderboards, skipping both the Masters and now the PGA Championship—events he has historically dominated. He won the PGA Championship in 2021 at Kiawah Island, becoming the oldest major champion in history at age 50. That victory now feels like a lifetime ago.

Here is a quick look at Mickelson’s limited 2025 season so far:

• Only one LIV Golf start: The South Africa event earlier this year.
• Zero major appearances: Missed the Masters, now withdrawing from the PGA Championship.
• No public practice rounds: No sightings at recent tournaments or media appearances.
• Uncertain timeline: “I don’t know” when or where he will return.

The lack of transparency regarding the family health matter has only fueled speculation. In a sport where players often share personal struggles—from injuries to mental health—Mickelson has remained tight-lipped. This is a man who was once the most quotable, accessible superstar in golf. His silence speaks volumes.

LIV Golf’s Uncertain Future and Mickelson’s Role

Mickelson’s decision to step away also casts a long shadow over LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed league he helped launch into the mainstream. Mickelson was the face of the rebellion against the PGA Tour, taking millions in guaranteed money and weathering a firestorm of criticism for his comments about the Saudi regime. He famously called the Saudis “scary motherf*****s” in a leaked interview but still defended the partnership as a necessary force for change in professional golf.

But times have changed. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has pulled its funding for LIV Golf after the 2026 campaign, leaving the league’s future in serious doubt. Without the PIF’s deep pockets, LIV’s roster of aging stars and limited television viewership may not survive. Mickelson, who was reportedly paid upwards of $200 million to join, now finds himself on a sinking ship with no captain at the helm.

Key factors in LIV’s decline:

• Loss of PIF funding: The league’s financial backbone has been removed.
• Player exodus rumors: Several top names are reportedly exploring options to return to the PGA Tour.
• Diminished media interest: Ratings have plummeted since the initial hype of 2022-2023.
• Mickelson’s absence: Without its biggest star, the league loses its primary draw.

Mickelson’s personal issues compound this crisis. If he cannot return to competitive form—or if he decides to retire—LIV Golf loses its most recognizable figure. The league may have to rely on younger, less famous players like Bryson DeChambeau or Brooks Koepka to carry the torch, but neither has Mickelson’s charisma or fan base.

Expert Analysis: What This Means for Phil’s Legacy

From a historical perspective, Mickelson’s absence from the PGA Championship is a significant blow to his legacy. He has won the Wanamaker Trophy twice (2005, 2021) and has been a fixture in the event for decades. To miss it voluntarily—especially after being listed in the field—suggests the family health matter is more serious than many assumed.

Let’s examine the state of Mickelson’s career through a critical lens:

• Age factor: At 53, every missed major reduces the window for adding to his six major titles.
• Competitive rust: He has played only one tournament in 2025. Rust is inevitable, even for a legend.
• Physical decline: Mickelson has battled arthritis and other age-related issues in recent years.
• Mental toll: The family health matter and LIV controversy have created immense off-course pressure.

I believe Mickelson still has the talent to compete at the highest level—if he can get his personal life in order. His short game remains elite, and his creativity around the greens is unmatched. But golf is a sport of rhythm and repetition. You cannot take months off and expect to walk into a major championship and contend. The PGA Championship field, which includes Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Rory McIlroy, would have eaten him alive even if he were healthy. Now, with the distraction of a family crisis, it’s the right call to withdraw.

Predictions: When and Where Will Phil Return?

The million-dollar question: When will we see Phil Mickelson again? Based on his comments and the current landscape, I have three scenarios:

Scenario 1: Return at the U.S. Open (June 2025)
This is the most optimistic timeline. The U.S. Open is at Pinehurst No. 2, a course that rewards creativity and short-game wizardry—two of Mickelson’s strengths. If the family health matter resolves in the coming weeks, he could use the next month to prepare. But he would need to qualify or receive a special exemption, which is not guaranteed given his limited play.

Scenario 2: A LIV Golf comeback in late summer
If Mickelson skips the U.S. Open and The Open Championship, his next likely start would be a LIV Golf event later in the summer. This would be a lower-stakes return, allowing him to shake off rust without the pressure of a major. However, with LIV’s future in doubt, these events may not even exist in their current form by then.

Scenario 3: Full retirement
This is the scenario no fan wants to consider, but it is realistic. Mickelson has nothing left to prove. He has six majors, a Hall of Fame career, and more money than he can spend. If the family health matter is severe, he may simply walk away from competitive golf entirely. His statement—“I don’t know”—suggests he is not ruling out retirement.

My prediction: Phil will play the U.S. Open. He loves the challenge of Pinehurst, and he has unfinished business there. He finished second at the U.S. Open a record six times. The narrative of finally winning one at age 53 would be irresistible. But only if his family situation stabilizes.

Conclusion: Golf’s Greatest Showman Takes a Backseat

Phil Mickelson’s withdrawal from the PGA Championship is more than a simple WD on a tournament sheet. It is a stark reminder that even the most celebrated athletes are human first. The “personal health matter” in his family is a private battle, and we must respect his decision to prioritize loved ones over professional obligations.

That said, the golf world will feel his absence at Valhalla. Mickelson brings a unique energy to any event—the swashbuckling shots, the fist pumps, the ear-to-ear grin. Without him, the PGA Championship loses a bit of its magic. The field is still stacked, but it is missing its most colorful character.

For now, we wait. We hope for the best for Phil and his family. And we keep the remote control ready, just in case he decides to make one more run at history. As he said himself: “I wish I could.” So do we, Phil. So do we.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.