{"id":317384,"date":"2026-04-12T07:30:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T02:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=317384"},"modified":"2026-04-12T07:30:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T02:00:24","slug":"phil-mickelson-criticizes-augusta-national-modifications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/12\/phil-mickelson-criticizes-augusta-national-modifications\/","title":{"rendered":"Phil Mickelson Criticizes Augusta National Modifications"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Phil Mickelson<\/strong> is clearly not a fan of among the changes at Augusta National.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatching @TheMasters and seeing so few players long enough to go for 13 &15 now has taken away a lot excitement and intrigue to the back nine,\u201d said the three-time Masters champion on Friday, April 10, via X<\/a>. \u201cOne other example of how longer isn\u2019t at all times higher.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mickelson, 55, is referring to the changes made on holes 13 and 15 in 2023, lengthening the space from the tee box to the pin on each holes.<\/p>\n

Each holes are considered iconic par-5 holes on the back nine of the classic course, arrange in a way that offers golfers likelihood at an eagle rating (two shots under par) \u2014 relative to other holes along the course, at the least.<\/p>\n

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Related: <\/span>Why Golfer Phil Mickelson Abruptly Pulled Out of the 2026 Masters<\/span>
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\n\t\t\tSix-time major champion Phil Mickelson has abruptly withdrawn from the 2026 Masters Tournament, which begins on Thursday, April 9. \u201cUnfortunately, I is not going to play within the Masters Tournament next week and will probably be out for an prolonged time frame as my family continues to navigate a private health matter,\u201d Mickelson, 55, shared via Instagram [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mickelson argued that lengthening the holes (making it tougher for golfers to attain an eagle) takes away from the \u201cexcitement and intrigue\u201d of the ultimate stretch of the course.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a single eagle putt on 13. Crazy \ud83e\udd26\u200d\u2642\ufe0f,\u201d Mickelson posted.<\/p>\n

Despite the criticism, Mickelson wasn\u2019t totally accurate in claiming that no golfer putted for eagle on hole 13. Through the primary two rounds of the tournament, five golfers scored an eagle on 13, and two more hit the rating on 15.<\/p>\n

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\n Phil Mickelson plays a bunker shot in the course of the LIV Golf South Africa March 20, 2026<\/span> Johan Rynners\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just before the tournament teed off, Mickelson abruptly withdrew from competition to handle a family \u201cpersonal health matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, I is not going to play within the Masters Tournament next week and will probably be out for an prolonged time frame as my family continues to navigate a private health matter,\u201d Mickelson shared via Instagram on Thursday, April 2. \u201cI actually have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club and it is unquestionably essentially the most special week of the yr.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cI wish everyone the most effective of luck and will probably be watching.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mickelson also took some time without work in February as a consequence of a \u201cfamily health matter\u201d and ended up missing 4 tournaments.<\/p>\n

Mickelson returned to competition at LIV Golf\u2019s South Africa event last month, his first since August 2025.<\/p>\n

He has been married to his wife, Amy, since 1996, and the couple share three children. Each of Mickelson\u2019s parents, Phil Sr. and Mary, are still alive.<\/p>\n

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