LIV Golf begins its fifth season without Phil Mickelson.
In a social media post on Sunday morning, HyFlyers GC captain Mickelson announced he will miss the first two events of 2026 due to a family matter.
“I will not be able to participate in the first two LIV events as Amy and I need to attend due to a family health issue,” Mickelson wrote on X. “I can’t wait to compete again and look forward to rejoining my teammates as soon as possible.”
LIV kicks off its season on February 4 at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia before heading Down Under for an event at The Grange Golf Club in Australia the following week.
Mickelson’s news comes at a volatile time for LIV, which recently lost two of its biggest stars, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, both of whom have opted to return to the PGA Tour. Koepka will even compete in the Farmers Insurance Open this week in Mickelson’s hometown of San Diego.
A prominent face at LIV, Mickelson, 55, is also an active voice on social media, where he combines golf-related comments with sharp political commentary.
Earlier this week, however, he struck a different tone in his most recent X-post ahead of Sunday’s announcement with a message of emotional support to an unspecified audience.
“I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you are enough just because you exist,” Mickelson wrote. “Who you are, you are right now is enough to make you special and unique. Know that.”
In his message on Sunday, Mickelson said Oliie Schiederjans will fill in for him in Riyadh “while I sympathize with HyFlyers GC from afar.”
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