No Tiger? No Phil? No biggie, the kids at the Masters say
AUGUSTA — It has been 32 years since the Masters was conducted without both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the field. Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau were little boys. U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell hadn’t arrived.
The absence of Woods, a five-time Masters champion, and Mickelson, a three-time winner, would have been a big deal 15 years ago when both players were in their prime and often No. 1 and No. 2 in the world.
This year, however, the needle is hardly moving without them in the field, particularly among the younger generation of patrons. Time, it appears, moves on, even at the Masters.
“Tiger made it popular for a lot of people,” said Cade Reel, 11, of Tennessee, who finished fifth in the Drive, Chip and Putt championships on Sunday. He admitted that he won’t miss the two legends. He’s more likely to follow Scheffler or DeChambeau, whom he’s seen and followed via YouTube.
The Masters 2026
The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament tees off at Augusta National Golf Club this week. Here’s everything you need to follow the action.
THE CHAMPION: Rory McIlroy owns Augusta, wins second straight Masters title
FINAL ROUND: Five final takeaways from the 2026 Masters | Rory McIlroy makes history again Surprises, disappointments: Henley ties for third on birthday | Sights and sounds from the 18th green
GEORGIANS: High schooler on Masters debut: ‘Everything I dreamed it would be’ | UGA leads all college programs | Bulldogs legend showed up for the 1960 Masters. He’s been every year since. | Phenom’s path began with skipping rocks in South Georgia
PHOTOS: Final round | Round 3 | Golf fashions | Round 2 | Masters tournament starts | Par 3 contest | Contenders warm up | Practice rounds tee off
AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL: One rule for keeping toddlers quiet: Don’t say ‘birdie’ | Ticket-resale restrictions are popular subject | What Masters golfers would do as patrons at Augusta: ‘Have a lot of beers’ | How much it would cost to buy one of every item at the Masters Golf Shop
THE TRADITIONS (FOOD): Inside Rory McIlroy’s Champions Dinner menu | Make The Masters’ iconic 3-ingredient cocktail at home | Everything to know about pimento cheese this Masters week
WHAT TO WATCH: Why Augusta National could be ‘even more difficult’ this year | Augusta National can bring top players to their knees | Mason Howell’s path to Augusta
MASTERS GNOME: Masters gnome craze hits ‘Hunger Games’ levels amid final-edition rumors | Gnomes lead the secondary market outside Augusta National
Floridians Madison Logan, 15, and Jackson Logan, 12, were standing 25 feet away from Scheffler as he hit chip shots on the tournament practice area. They were more interested in watching Scheffler and DeChambeau than they were about missing Woods and Mickelson.
“Well, maybe Tiger, but not Phil,” Jackson said.
Woods withdrew last week after flipping his car and being charged with driving under the influence. Woods withdrew from the Masters and said he would “seek treatment and focus on my health.” Days later, Mickelson withdrew, citing a family health emergency.
Woods, 50, missed the tournament in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2021 because of physical issues and surgeries. Since his last victory in 2019, he has finished no better than a tie for 38th. Mickelson, 55, had played every year since 1995, other than 2022, shortly after his decision to defect to LIV golf. He came to tie for second in 2023.
Chris McClain, 22, and his brother, Christian, 15, said the tournament won’t miss either one of the legendary players.
“It’s a new generation,” said Alan Miniard of North Carolina, whose son was working the autograph line near the practice area. “A lot of kids don’t even know who Tiger and Phil are. It was bound to happen eventually. Life is cyclical, and you’ve got a lot of new faces coming up to replace them.”
Still, it would have been nice to see Woods and Mickelson, said Mike Cavanagh, 56, of Chicago.
“I’ve always been a Phil guy,” said Cavanagh, who admitted he’s gotten into many similar unplayable on-course situations as Mickelson, but usually without the same heroic results. “They’ve been golf’s biggest names and biggest legends. I’m sorry they’re not playing.”
Cavanagh’s son, Jack, a self-professed Tiger guy, said, “There are just so many good young golfers today. But not having Tiger or Phil leaves a big hole.”
Marty Chandler, a PGA professional from Lynchburg, Virginia, is the same age as Woods and has always watched his career.
“I think we’ll miss both of them this week,” Chandler said. “But it’s a new era. Tiger and Phil are moving on. It’s something that happens to all of the legends. They get old. It happens to all of us eventually.”
About the Author
Stan Awtrey has been covering sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1977. He currently writes about high school sports, Georgia State University athletics and golf.
