Lee Westwood to miss beginning of LIV Golf season

Lee Westwood has announced he will miss the first two events of LIV Golf's new season. 

The PIF-backed breakaway gets their 2026 campaign underway on 4 February in Saudi Arabia. 

Their schedule will also take them to Australia over 12-15 February. 

But Westwood won't be representing the Majesticks in Riyadh or Adelaide after sustaining a wrist injury during his pre-season preparations. 

Westwood, 52, provided a statement on his social media channels in which he explained the issue was "nothing serious". 

"Disappointingly, I sustained an injury to my wrist whilst practicing in preparation for the first event of the season," wrote Westwood. 

"Thankfully, it's nothing too serious. However, I've been advised to manage my rep count over the coming weeks. 

"Therefore, I'll unfortunately be missing this months LIV Golf events in Riyadh and Adelaide."

Westwood added: "I look forward to starting my season in Hong Kong and wish Majesticks Golf Club all the best under the lights and down under."

Former world number one Westwood is embarking on his fourth season with LIV. 

He was among the first wave of players to be recruited by LIV during its inauguration in 2022. 

Westwood is yet to win a LIV Golf event, with his results generally quite modest. 

He narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing 46th in the individual standings. 

Henrik Stenson, who was a co-captain of the Majesticks alongside Westwood and Ian Poulter, was among those relegated. 

The Majesticks have replaced the former Open champion with Laurie Canter.

Westwood also recently confirmed that he has reunited with his former caddie Billy Foster. 

Foster has been without a full-time position since splitting with Matthew Fitzpatrick last March. 

Westwood told Today's Golfer that Foster will be at "most" of LIV Golf's events in 2026, with his wife Helen Storey also filling in. 

Mickelson to miss time on LIV due to "family health matter"

Westwood isn't the only LIV Golf player who will miss the first two stops of the 2026 season. 

On Sunday evening, six-time major champion Phil Mickelson confirmed he will miss the stops in Riyadh and Adelaide due to a "family health matter". 

The 55-year-old did not provide any further details. 

"I will not be able to participate in the first two LIV events as [wife] Amy and I need to be present for a family health matter," Mickelson said in a social media post.

 "I can't wait to compete again and look forward to rejoining my teammates as soon as possible."

Lefty captain's LIV's HyFlyers quartet, which features Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele. 

Michael La Sasso, the 2025 NCAA Amateur champion, joined the HyFlyers in the off-season as a replacement for the relegated Andy Ogletree.

Mickelson said Ollie Schniederjans will replace him while he's out.