Phil Mickelson, captain of HyFlyers GC, announced he will skip the first two events of the 2026 LIV Golf season due to a family health issue. The 55-year-old golfer shared the news on social media, expressing his intent to rejoin his team soon. Ollie Schneiderjans will replace him for the opening event in Riyadh.
Phil Mickelson, a prominent figure in LIV Golf, revealed on Sunday via a post on X that he will not participate in the league's fifth season kickoff. The announcement comes as Mickelson and his wife, Amy, address a family health matter requiring their presence.
In his post, Mickelson stated: “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. I can’t wait to compete again and look forward to rejoining my teammates as soon as possible.” He added that Ollie Schneiderjans would step in for him at the season's start in Riyadh, where he plans to support HyFlyers GC remotely.
The LIV Golf season begins on February 4, 2026, at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, followed by an event the next week at The Grange Golf Club in Australia. Mickelson's absence marks a notable gap for the league, which has faced recent challenges, including the departures of stars Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed to the PGA Tour. Koepka, for instance, is currently competing at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, Mickelson's hometown.
At 55, Mickelson remains an active voice on social media, blending golf insights with personal messages. Just days before his announcement, he posted an uplifting note: “I don’t know who needs to hear this but you are enough just by existing. Who you are in this moment is enough to make you special and unique. Know that.” This family-focused update underscores a more personal side amid LIV's ongoing volatility.
