Mickelson continues LIV Golf absence amid Saudi | Golf News

It has been confirmed that Phil Mickelson can be absent from LIV Golf Virginia later this week.

While Mickelson has yet to publicly remark on PIF’s choice to withdraw its funding of LIV at the end of the 2026 season, it has been confirmed that he’ll skip another event on their schedule due to an ongoing household matter.

Sports Illustrated reviews the 55-year-old is not going to compete at LIV’s Virginia event, which is scheduled to start later this week at Trump National Golf Club, Washington, D.C.

The ongoing household matter is the explanation Mickelson has competed only once this season, with his participation in the upcoming PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club also unsure.

It has also been confirmed that Mickelson, the HyFlyers’ group captain, can be changed at the LIV Virginia event by Scott Vincent. The HyFlyers at present sit eleventh in the 13-team standings for the 2026 season.

Vincent, a wildcard, changed Mickelson at LIV Golf Mexico.

According to LIV Golf’s guidelines, any wildcard participant promoted to a roster must keep with that group for the rest of the season, which means Vincent might substitute Mickelson full-time this 12 months. Prior to posting on X about California gasoline costs on Monday, Mickelson had maintained a notably low profile on social media.

His most current post before weighing in on fuel prices — a response to California Attorney General Rob Bonta — had been a congratulatory message to Rory McIlroy following his Masters victory at Augusta in April.

“Congrats to @McIlroyRory for an exciting @TheMasters win. Back to back is simply remarkable,” Mickelson wrote on April 12.

In his Monday post, Mickelson steered clear of any point out of LIV Golf’s future, instead directing his frustration squarely at California’s power insurance policies.

Firing back at Bonta, Mickelson wrote, “No more oil from the Middle East, skyrocketing gas prices, highest gas tax in the nation, jet fuel shortage, national security threat from CA’s policies, and marine life destruction from the largest natural seepage in the world.

“This is equal to the man drowning making an attempt to drown the man saving him. The epitome of incompetent management proper right here.”