PGA Championship 2026, Phil Mickelson announces his forfeit

Phil Mickelson has decided to forgo the 2026 PGA Championship, a tournament he won in 2021 at Kiawah Island, becoming, at nearly 51, the oldest winner of a Major. “I would have loved to be there. Unfortunately, I can’t. I hope to come back and play in the rest of the season, but I honestly don’t know when yet,” “Lefty” told Flushing It Golf. His forfeit favored Max Homa, first among the reserves, who thus enters the tournament’s field.

The 108th PGA Championship’s main draw includes 14 former tournament winners, 28 Major champions, 20 PGA of America professionals and 11 players from LIV Golf.

Six of these gained entry through a special exemption: Martin Kaymer, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann and Tyrrell Hatton. Five others, however, received a wild card: David Puig, Thomas Detry, Elvis Smylie, Tom McKibbin and Dustin Johnson.

At the moment, 154 players are certain to take part in the tournament. Two spots still remain to be filled, earmarked for the winners of the Myrtle Beach Classic and Truist Championship scheduled for this Sunday.

Expected players include Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. Also present is Frenchman Adrien Saddier. The reserve list, behind Sudarshan Yellamaraju, includes Tom Hoge, Kevin Yu, Mac Meissner and Tony Finau.