Golf icon Tiger Woods has officially finalized his absence from the entirety of the 2026 major tournament season after failing to submit an entry for this summer’s Open Championship.

The definitive confirmation comes as the deadline passed for eligible players to inform the R&A of their attendance at Royal Birkdale this July. Having already been ineligible for next month’s U.S. Open, the Open Championship represented Woods’ final potential avenue to compete on golf’s grandest stage this year.

This marks the second successive year that the 15-time major champion will miss all four major tournaments. Woods, 50, has not played competitively since the 2024 Open Championship at Troon.

Derailed Comeback and Personal Setbacks

Prior to this decision, the golf world was highly anticipating a competitive return after Woods openly discussed the possibility of making a comeback at the Masters last month. However, those plans were abruptly halted following a car crash in late March near his Florida home, which resulted in an arrest under the suspicion of DUI.

Shortly after the incident, Woods announced a complete hiatus from the sport to seek treatment and step away from both his competitive and off-course responsibilities. This extended to his withdrawal from the PGA Tour Policy Board and the Future Competition Committee, as well as removing his name from consideration for the prestigious U.S. Ryder Cup captaincy.

Ongoing Battles with Physical Health

Physical health and severe injuries continue to plague the legendary golfer. Beyond his recent setbacks, Woods has endured seven back surgeries—including a complex disk replacement procedure this past October—and suffered severe lower leg injuries from a separate, near-fatal car accident in 2021.

The 15-time major winner has fought valiantly to recapture his historic form but has failed to secure a title since the 2021 accident, with his last historic major victory occurring at the 2019 Masters.

Despite missing out on the historic links courses this year, the door remains wide open for future appearances. As a three-time Open Championship winner (2000, 2005, 2006), Woods remains fully exempt to compete in the tournament until he reaches the age of 60.

Phil Mickelson Submits Entry Amid Uncertainty

In stark contrast to Woods, fellow veteran counterpart Phil Mickelson did formally submit his entry for the Open Championship. The 55-year-old boasts an incredibly consistent attendance record, having not missed an Open Championship since 2009—a historic run that includes his memorable 2013 victory.

However, Mickelson’s actual participation at Royal Birkdale remains shrouded in doubt. The six-time major champion has played just one competitive event this year—a LIV Golf event in South Africa in March—having stepped away from the circuit to attend to what has been described as a “personal family health issue.”

While Mickelson’s status remains uncertain, fans will have to wait at least another year to see Tiger Woods attempt another miraculous major comeback.