Phil Mickelson has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, marking the first time in his legendary professional career that the six-time major champion will record a complete season of missed majors in 2026. While his representatives cite an ongoing private family health matter, the announcement coincided with a wave of misconduct allegations published by journalist Alan Shipnuck. However, official records confirm that Mickelson's withdrawal was submitted on June 18—weeks before the report emerged—establishing a clear separation between his stepping back from the tournament and the recent public controversy.
The Official Decision to Step Back from Royal Birkdale
Phil Mickelson has formally notified tournament organizers of his withdrawal from the 2026 Open Championship, scheduled for July 16–19 at Royal Birkdale. As a past champion who famously captured the Claret Jug at Muirfield in 2013, Mickelson possessed a lifetime exemption, making his absence a voluntary decision rather than an athletic shortcoming.
Representatives for the 56-year-old major champion confirmed that the decision is a continuation of the stance he has held throughout the season. Mickelson is currently dedicating his time to an ongoing family health issue, leaving his future timeline for professional competition entirely open. Crucially, tournament records indicate that this request was processed quietly on June 18, showing that the decision had been finalized long before it became a public talking point.
A Somber Career Milestone: Missed Majors in 2026
For three decades, Mickelson has been a permanent, colorful fixture in major championship history. That tenure makes his complete absence from the 2026 major calendar a historic and somber milestone. Having previously bypassed the Masters in April and the PGA Championship in May, the Open withdrawal completes a year of total absence. Although he was also absent from the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, that particular omission was structural rather than voluntary, as his local exemption had expired and he did not receive a special invitation from the USGA.
The last time Mickelson skipped the Open Championship was in 2009, under similarly significant circumstances. That year, he walked away from Turnberry to stand by his wife, Amy, during her treatment for breast cancer. There is a quiet, human symmetry in both of these career interruptions being framed around family obligations, highlighting the enduring themes that run through his otherwise chaotic career.
Chronology and Context: Clarifying the Withdrawal Timeline
In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, early news cycles attempted to draw a direct line between Mickelson’s tournament exit and a series of serious misconduct allegations published by writer Alan Shipnuck. Several media outlets initially framed the withdrawal as a damage-control measure or a direct reaction to the public fallout.
Journalistic fact-checking, however, corrected this narrative. Because Mickelson filed his official withdrawal on June 18—weeks prior to the publication of the Shipnuck article—he was unaware of the impending report at the time of his decision. These two developments occurred within the same media window, but the chronology demonstrates that one was not the cause of the other. Separating these two distinct threads is essential for accurate, objective reporting.
Separating Allegations from Confirmed History
The allegations published in the Shipnuck report present a complex challenge, compiling multiple claims of inappropriate physical and verbal conduct spanning over a decade, based on what the author states are 19 separate sources. The reporting also detailed Mickelson’s departure from several prominent golf clubs since 2021, including a recent incident near San Diego.
Legally and journalistically, it is critical to emphasize that these claims remain unproven allegations rather than established findings. Mickelson’s attorney, Tom Clare, has forcefully pushed back against the report. Clare argued that the article is a mix of outright falsehoods and rehashed discussions of past mistakes that Mickelson has already publicly acknowledged. On the San Diego club incident, Clare stated that the allegations are contradicted by objective evidence, asserting that Mickelson chose to resign his membership rather than being removed. As of now, no criminal complaints have been filed, leaving the matter contested on multiple fronts.
The Raw Read
The responsible path forward in sports journalism requires a clear division between what is verified and what remains in dispute. We know with certainty that Mickelson will miss all four majors in 2026 for the first time in his career, and we know his team cites a family health issue as the driving force. We also know he faces serious, contested allegations that are denied by his legal counsel.
What remains is the quiet, complicated end to a legendary chapter. The player who once commanded the largest galleries in golf is now entirely absent from its grandest stages, retreating from public view as the sport grapples with his legacy. Where his career goes next will depend on the resolution of these contested allegations and a private situation that remains strictly his own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Phil Mickelson withdraw from the 2026 Open Championship?
His spokesperson cited an ongoing family health matter, the same reason given for his other 2026 major absences. Reporting indicates the withdrawal was filed on June 18.
Will Mickelson miss all four majors in 2026?
Yes. With The Open withdrawal, 2026 becomes the first year of his career in which he appears in none of the four majors.
Did he withdraw because of the misconduct allegations?
Reporting suggests not directly. Mickelson withdrew on June 18, before the latest report was published, and was unaware of it. The two events coincided rather than one causing the other.
What are the allegations against Mickelson?
A report by Alan Shipnuck compiled multiple misconduct claims spanning more than a decade, several of them disputed. They are allegations, not proven findings.
How has Mickelson responded to the allegations?
His attorney says some claims are false and others revisit previously acknowledged mistakes, and disputes the characterization of a club incident. No criminal complaint has been filed.
When was the last time Mickelson missed The Open?
In 2009, when he skipped the event at Turnberry to support his wife Amy during her breast cancer treatment.