Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson is set to return to competitive golf this week at LIV Golf South Africa after missing the first four events while tending to a family health matter
Phil Mickelson will make his 2026 season debut at LIV Golf South Africa(Image: Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson is set to make his LIV Golf season debut this week after missing the opening four tournaments whilst dealing with a family health matter.
The HyFlyers GC captain will kick off the 35th year of his professional career at LIV Golf South Africa, though the six-time major champion faces a steep climb in both team and individual rankings following his extended absence.
Having last competed in August, Mickelson is viewed as an unlikely contender for individual victory—something that has eluded him since joining the Saudi-backed circuit in 2022. It comes after Mickelson’s comment completely changed Rory McIlroy’s opinion on the Masters.
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After Bryson DeChambeau’s thrilling playoff victory in Singapore last weekend, Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC sits 12th among 13 teams in the standings. Meanwhile, the 55 year old occupies last place individually, trailing safety by 24 points.
With 11 full-time LIV players facing relegation at season’s end, Mickelson must make substantial progress in the coming events.
Whether he’ll receive exemption from relegation due to his absence remains unclear.
The betting lines for this week’s tournament at The Club at Steyn City near Johannesburg reveal modest expectations for Mickelson’s performance.
The HyFlyers captain is listed at +25000 to claim the individual crown, +1900 for a top-five finish, and +680 to place in the top 10. Mickelson’s odds place him 45th out of the 57 players in the field.
Phil Mickelson hasn’t played a competitive round since last August(Image: Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Looking back to last season, Mickelson has ended up outside the top 23 plus ties in six consecutive events. However, he did manage to secure three top-10 finishes during the 2025 campaign in Hong Kong (3rd), Miami (6th), and Virginia (T4).
With the Masters just around the corner, Mickelson, who holds a lifetime exemption as a three-time former champion, will use the LIV Golf South Africa as a significant gauge for his readiness to tackle Augusta National in April.
Despite his recent absence and overall lack of form, Mickelson is no stranger to defying expectations with his unique golfing prowess.