Three-time champion Phil Mickelson to miss Masters for first since 1994

Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson will not play in next month’s Masters, missing the Augusta National showdown for the first time since 1994, according to a field update posted on the tournament’s website.

Mickelson’s status had been in question since he criticised the US PGA Tour last month, later apologising and saying he needed some time away from golf.

In a listing of invitees to the 86th Masters, which runs April 7-10 at the famed Georgia course, 2021 PGA Championship winner Mickelson was among golfers listed as Past Champions Not Playing.

The list generally features elder statesmen of the sport who have claimed the green jacket, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Nick Faldo.

That list, however, did not include Tiger Woods, who is recovering from severe leg injuries suffered in a car crash 13 months ago.

The major question surrounding Mickelson now would be if the 51-year-old American left-hander will defend his title at the PGA Championship, which will be played in May at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“The past 10 years I have felt the pressure and stress slowly affecting me at a deeper level,” Mickelson said in a statement.

“I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritise the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be.”

Mickelson has not played since last month’s Saudi International and last played a US PGA event at Torrey Pines in January.

Mickelson became the oldest major winner in history last May when he won the PGA at age 50 at Kiawah Island. He also won the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010, the 2005 PGA and the 2013 Open Championship and is a record six-time US Open runner-up.