Phil Mickelson's 2026 season has been one to forget. The six-time major champion has played in just one LIV Golf event this year, and his prolonged absence is raising eyebrows across the golf world.

The 55-year-old legend, who made headlines when he left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in 2022, has yet to win a single LIV event. This season has been particularly rough—he's missed five of six tournaments so far, and he'll also be sitting out next week's PGA Championship and this week's event in Virginia.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil addressed Mickelson's situation during a press conference on Tuesday, revealing that the absence is due to a "private family health matter." O'Neil spoke with Mickelson just a day earlier and expressed understanding and support.

"I talked to Phil yesterday. Sorry he can't make it today," O'Neil said. "We all have things going on in our lives that are personal, and his is. I have a lot of love and respect for him as a human being."

O'Neil emphasized how much Mickelson's presence means to the league. "His presence is missed. He carries a ton of weight in every room he walks. That's not only because he's a six-time major champion, but he's got gravitas that comes with something way beyond winning."

The timing of Mickelson's absence couldn't be more challenging for LIV Golf. The league is facing an uncertain future after PIF announced they're pulling their financial backing, and losing one of their biggest stars only adds to the uncertainty.

Whether you're a fan of LIV Golf or not, everyone in the golf community hopes to see Phil back on the course soon. His legacy as one of the game's greatest competitors deserves a proper farewell, not a season spent on the sidelines.