Missing Woods and Mickelson at British Open

Tiger Woods Stays Off the Course

Woods faced a severe setback earlier this year when a rollover crash in Florida led to his arrest on DUI and property damage charges. After the incident he entered a Swiss treatment facility and has not spoken publicly about the crash. Though he appeared in Connecticut to help announce a new PGA Tour schedule, he still isn’t playing. A 2025 Achilles rupture and back surgery further limited his seasons. Woods last competed in 2024 at Royal Troon, missing the cut, and holds three British Open titles from 2005‑2006.

Phil Mickelson’s Season Ends Early

Mickelson pulled the plug on the campaign in April, citing a family health issue, and has yet to confirm a return date. He was also expelled from a Southern California golf club after an alleged incident with a female staff member, a claim his team calls a misunderstanding. After a single start in LIV Golf, his ranking has slipped and he has not appeared in any major this season. Mickelson’s lone British Open victory came in 2013, and he has finished second twice, but has missed five of his last eight appearances there.

Other Star Absences

Dustin Johnson, once the world’s top player, opted out of qualifying for this week’s Open after his 2020 Masters exemption expired. His rankings have tumbled to No. 216, and a promising run at the U.S. Open collapsed when he posted an 8‑over stretch that included a quadruple bogey, nearly costing him a cut. Zach Johnson, the 2015 champion at St Andrews, is skipping the event for only the second time, explaining that playing four straight weeks is too much at age 50. He will compete in the Senior British Open later this month after recent back‑to‑back wins on the PGA Tour Champions.

Tony Finau’s Rough Major Run

Finau became the first player in over a decade to miss all four majors this season, a drop that mirrors his decline in the Official World Golf Ranking to 123rd. He has only one top‑10 finish so far, compared to earlier days when he cracked the world’s top‑10. Finau’s best major result remains a third‑place finish at the 2019 British Open, with a T3 at the 2024 U.S. Open. Recent form has been inconsistent, highlighted by two missed cuts in his last three British Open appearances and a T56 last season.