Major Absences at the Masters

Morning Edition

April 8, 2026

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The absence of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the Masters—the first time since 1994 that neither will play in the tournament—is being felt by many top players competing for this year’s Green Jacket.

—David Rumsey

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Masters Stars Feel Unprecedented Absence of Tiger and Phil

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AUGUSTA, Ga. — The absence of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the Masters is being felt by many top players competing for this year’s Green Jacket.

“Obviously there’s two that won’t be with us this year, which is a shame, but hopefully they will be with us in the future, and I’m sure they will be with us in the future,” defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy said Tuesday ahead of hosting the annual Masters champions dinner.

This marks the first Masters since 1994 that neither Woods nor Mickelson—who have won a combined eight Green Jackets—will be teeing it up at Augusta National.

Woods stepped away from competition and the public eye to seek treatment following his arrest for suspicion of driving while impaired during a rollover car crash March 27. Mickelson announced April 2 that he would be “out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter.”

“Let’s be honest, without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the events in golf, when they both step away, honestly I feel it hurts the game of golf,” 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed said. “But at the same time, we want them to come back and be healthy and ready to go.”

Justin Rose, currently ranked No. 9 in the world, called Woods and Mickelson “titans of the game for the last three decades” when asked about the duo’s absence. “Their stature is way more elevated than that in the game of golf and always will be,” Rose said. “It’s always a loss to not have either of them in a field anywhere.”

Tiger’s Well-Being in Focus

The long-term health of Woods has also been on the minds of players at the Masters.

“It just shows the human element and the human side of someone that is struggling with some sort of an addiction,” No. 41–ranked Jason Day said. “He’s not immune to it just because he can hit a golf ball really well.”

Fred Couples, winner of the 1992 Masters, said, “I tell him I love him and things can always get better. … Pain is a rough thing.” Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson said, “Anybody that’s struggling with anything, I feel for him because I’ve went through a lot of mental stuff. So yeah, I always pull for him.”

Woods last competed in the Masters in 2024, when he made the cut but finished 60th. Since 1994, Mickelson has missed only the 2022 Masters. In 2023, he tied for second.

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