Phil Mickelson’s playing future has come under fresh scrutiny after former professionals Mark Allen and Nick O’Hern discussed his prolonged absence from competitive golf. On a recent podcast, Allen said it would be difficult for Mickelson to play again, while O’Hern described his downfall as sad.
Mickelson has played only one LIV Golf event in 2026 while dealing with a private family health matter. The uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf, combined with allegations of misconduct reported this year, has added to the questions surrounding his future in professional golf.
A legendary career now in question
Phil Mickelson built one of golf’s most accomplished careers across more than three decades. He has won 6 major championships and 45 PGA TOUR titles. His playing future is uncertain after he competed only once in 2026.
Former professionals Mark Allen and Nick O’Hern recently discussed Mickelson on a podcast. Allen said he felt it would be difficult for Mickelson to play again, while O’Hern described Mickelson’s downfall as sad.
Allen’s comments were skeptical about a return to competition, but neither former player can determine whether Mickelson will compete again. Mickelson’s future with LIV Golf is also uncertain as the league restructures following the end of Saudi financial backing.
Family crisis sidelines golf legend
Mickelson missed the first four events of the 2026 LIV Golf season while dealing with a private family health matter. He returned at LIV Golf South Africa in March, where he finished tied for 48th, before later withdrawing from the Masters and PGA Championship.
Mickelson said he and his wife, Amy, needed to be present for a family health matter but did not publicly identify the family member involved or provide medical details. He subsequently missed the remainder of the 2026 major championship season, including The Open.
Public reporting has not established the identity of the family member involved. Mickelson’s representatives have continued to describe the matter as private.
What made Mickelson a golf icon
Mickelson turned professional in 1992 and went on to win 6 major championships: 3 Masters titles, 2 PGA Championships and 1 Open Championship. His aggressive, creative style helped make him one of the most recognizable players of his generation.
In 2021, Mickelson became the oldest player to win a men’s major championship when he captured the PGA Championship at age 50. He was less than a month from his 51st birthday. The victory was his sixth major title.
Mickelson also holds the record for the most U.S. Open runner-up finishes, with 6. Those six second-place finishes prevented him from completing the career Grand Slam, because the U.S. Open is the only major he has never won.
LIV Golf’s financial troubles deepen
LIV Golf is facing major financial uncertainty after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund ended its financial backing following the 2026 season. The league canceled its scheduled Michigan Team Championship and is pursuing a new structure for 2027.
PIF invested more than $5 billion in LIV Golf since its launch in 2022. In August, LIV announced that it had signed a term sheet with an unnamed lead investor, but the size of the investment was not disclosed.
LIV is pursuing a smaller 2027 model as it works to finalize its new investment arrangements. Reports indicate that the proposed structure could include a 10-event schedule and greater player ownership.
Uncertain future for the Saudi-backed league
LIV Golf’s future remains uncertain after the end of PIF funding and the league’s decision to restructure its operations. LIV has secured a lead-investor arrangement for its next phase, but the size and final terms of the investment have not been publicly disclosed.
Several LIV players have explored opportunities outside the league. Patrick Reed returned to the PGA Tour in 2026, while other LIV players have pursued opportunities on the DP World Tour. The PGA Tour has also said there are currently no plans to revive its Returning Member Program.
Mickelson’s own playing future remains unclear. He has not competed since LIV Golf South Africa in March, where he finished tied for 48th.
Allegations add to Mickelson’s struggles
In June 2026, a Skratch investigation by journalist Alan Shipnuck reported allegations of misconduct involving Mickelson and said the reporting was based on interviews with 19 sources. The report followed earlier reporting that Mickelson had lost his membership at The Farms Golf Club after an employee accused him of inappropriate physical contact.
Mickelson’s representatives disputed the Skratch report, describing it as relying on anonymous sources. Mickelson has not been publicly charged with a crime in connection with the allegations.
The allegations have added another layer of scrutiny to Mickelson’s already uncertain future in professional golf. He has not competed since March and missed all four major championships in 2026.
Little-known fact: Despite being known as golf’s greatest left-handed player (“Lefty”), Mickelson actually does almost everything else right-handed. He learned to swing left-handed by mirroring his right-handed father’s golf swing as a child.
Could Mickelson ever return to golf?
So, could Mickelson realistically return to competitive golf at a high level once again? Based on the evidence, most insiders remain skeptical that a meaningful comeback will happen soon. His age and LIV’s instability work against him.
A return through qualifying remains technically possible if Mickelson wanted to chase more major titles. However, his recent form and time away make that path extremely difficult now. Most experts believe his window has closed.
Still, golf has surprised fans before with unexpected late-career comebacks from seemingly finished veterans. Mickelson proved doubters wrong when he won a major championship at fifty years old. That history keeps some hope alive.
What does this mean for golf fans?
Mickelson’s extended absence marks a notable moment for one of golf’s most accomplished players. His career includes 6 major championships, 45 PGA TOUR victories, and a record 6 U.S. Open runner-up finishes.
LIV Golf is also undergoing a major transition after PIF ended its financial backing, and the league canceled its planned Michigan Team Championship. LIV has secured a lead investor for its next phase, but its future structure remains under development.
Whatever comes next for Mickelson, his competitive legacy is already established by his six major championships and decades of high-level play. Whether he returns to competition remains unknown.
TL;DR
- Phil Mickelson, 56, missed most of the 2026 LIV Golf season while dealing with a private family health matter.
- Former professionals Mark Allen and Nick O’Hern recently discussed Mickelson’s future, with Allen saying it would be difficult for him to play again and O’Hern describing his downfall as sad.
- Mickelson’s résumé includes 6 major championships, including 3 Masters titles, 2 PGA Championships and 1 Open Championship. He also holds the record with 6 U.S. Open runner-up finishes.
- In 2021, Mickelson became the oldest player to win a men’s major championship when he captured the PGA Championship at age 50.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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