Phil Mickelson’s Absence from the 2026 Masters
Phil Mickelson missed the 2026 Masters, citing a “personal health matter” as the reason he disclosed. However, he managed to squeeze in some of his favorite pastime: sharing thoughts on X.
Mickelson tweeted, “Watching @TheMasters and seeing so few players long enough to go for 13 & 15 now has taken away so much excitement and intrigue to the back nine. Another example of how longer isn’t always better.” He later added, “Not a single eagle putt on 13. Crazy [facepalm emoji].”
In response to a comment from my Fried Egg Golf colleague Will Knights, who mentioned that six players actually putted for eagle on No. 13 during the second round, Mickelson retorted, “6 of 90. Like I said ‘so few.’
This sentiment isn’t new; many fans have echoed similar concerns since Augusta National extended the lengths of the 13th and 15th holes early in this decade. Both Mickelson and fellow enthusiasts feel these modifications have made the renowned par 5s less thrilling to follow.
While personal preferences vary, it’s essential to accurately assess what’s happening on these holes. For instance, 63% of players targeted the 15th green with their second shots on Thursday, 48% on Friday, and an impressive 72% on Saturday. Nearly everyone seemed willing to attempt this after a solid drive, including Brian Harman, who ranks 151st in driving distance on the PGA Tour.
Claiming that few players are capable of reaching the 15th green in two is simply not true. Regarding the 13th, Mickelson’s assertion holds slight merit, with 33% of the field aiming for the green in the first round, increasing to 42% in the second and 43% in the third. However, as Augusta National’s co-designer Bobby Jones noted in 1959, “We call 13 a par 5 because under certain conditions of wind and ground few players will risk trying for the green with a second shot.”
