{"id":548306,"date":"2026-03-20T05:02:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T05:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/548306\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T05:02:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T05:02:10","slug":"phil-mickelson-endures-brutal-return-to-golf-after-emotional-message-on-mysterious-absence-with-his-wife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/548306\/","title":{"rendered":"Phil Mickelson endures brutal return to golf after emotional message on mysterious absence with his wife"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JACK BEZANTS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 00:39 EDT, 20 March 2026 | Updated: 00:48 EDT, 20 March 2026 <\/p>\n

Phil Mickelson finally made his return to golf on Thursday, but it was a rusty comeback for the American great who has an appearance at The Masters<\/a> to prepare for.<\/p>\n

He carded a four-over par round of 75 at LIV Golf’s South Africa<\/a> event at Steyn City – his first competitive action since last August, where he competed in the Saudi-backed tour’s season finale.<\/p>\n

The American carded two birdies but also had a double and triple-bogey on his scorecard in what, overall, was some much-needed time on the course under his belt. But he’s going to have to improve fast if he wants to be competitive at Augusta.<\/p>\n

Mickelson then revealed back in February that he would be absent from the first two LIV events of 2026 because he and wife Amy had to ‘be present for a family health matter.’<\/p>\n

But concern inevitably grew for Mickelson when two missed tournaments turned into four, before his return was finally confirmed earlier this week.<\/p>\n

The 55-year-old Mickelson, a six-time Major winner, has chosen not to elaborate on what kept him away from the game for longer than expected but before he teed off this week, he shared a heartfelt message on social media.<\/p>\n

\"After <\/p>\n

After four missed events, Phil Mickelson finally returned to golf on Thursday in South Africa<\/p>\n

\"Mickelson <\/p>\n

Mickelson missed four LIV events for a personal matter he had to attend to with his wife, Amy<\/p>\n

‘I\u2019ve really missed seeing everyone and competing,’ Mickelson said as he arrived in South Africa. ‘I\u2019m so excited to be back with the guys this week.’<\/p>\n

The timing is crucial for Mickelson, seeing that the first round of The Masters begins in under a month on Thursday, April 9.<\/p>\n

Mickelson is in line to make his 34th appearance at the iconic Augusta course, a place where he has emerged victorious on three separate occasions (in 2004, 2006 and 2010).<\/p>\n

This week’s LIV event is the last one before the first major of the calendar.<\/p>\n

Mickelson endured a tough time at the Majors in 2025, missing the cut in three of the four – including at Augusta. At The Open, held at Royal Portrush, he ended tied 56th.<\/p>\n

His highest finish in his final six LIV events in 2025 was tied 23rd, too.<\/p>\n

Rory McIlroy will arrive at Augusta as the defending champion this year, completing the Grand Slam with Masters victory in 2025.<\/p>\n

The Northern Irishman became just the sixth player to complete golf’s Grand Slam, an honor Mickelson has been on the brink of achieving for years.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The South Africa event gives Mickelson some vital practice before The Masters in April<\/p>\n

The US Open is the one event to have evaded Mickelson – agonizingly, he has finished second in the event on six occasions. The most recent was 2013.<\/p>\n

His LIV absence came at a bad time for the Saudi-backed rebel tour, too. Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed remarkably quit the tour to return to the PGA circuit – albeit Reed has to make it back via a year with the DP World Tour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now, LIV just need Mickelson to recapture his magic as quickly as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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