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The 2026 Masters is days away and several familiar faces will be absent from the field. Rory McIlroy is at Augusta to defend the crown he secured last year after overcoming an injury scare, but two former champions - along with a host of other leading players - will not be taking part. Supporters were already aware that former champion Bernhard Langer would not feature, with the 68 year old announcing last year's Masters would be his final appearance after an Achilles injury had left walking challenging. Other former champions will compete - including 2025 victor McIlroy and two-time winner Scottie Scheffler - but Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are among the former winners giving this one a miss.

Five-time champion Woods' participation was cast into doubt ahead of the tournament at Augusta National, with United States President Donald Trump suggesting the 50-year-old would be present but not competing. Since Trump's remarks in March, Woods has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence and has committed to stepping back to concentrate on his health after entering a not guilty plea. "He (Woods) lives a life of pain. He has a lot of pain," Trump, whose former daughter-in-law Vanessa is dating Woods, told the New York Post. "He's an amazing guy. He's an amazing athlete. He does have pain."

Three-time Masters champion Mickelson is another who will not feature in this year's field, in his case due to an ongoing health issue affecting his family. The American confirmed his withdrawal just days before the tournament's start date.

"Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter," the 55-year-old LIV Golf star wrote on X. "I have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club and it is definitely the most special week of the year. I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching."

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While Woods and Mickelson are two hugely decorated stars to miss out on the Masters this year, other top players - many of them younger than the former major winners - will have to watch from afar as well. The tournament boasts the smallest field of all four majors, meaning several big-name players have failed to secure their place in this year's edition.

Only 50 players receive automatic entry through their world ranking, though there are alternative routes to qualification. These include the invitations extended to all former champions and to those who finished in the top 12 in the event last year.

Rickie Fowler is amongst the more prominent names whose world ranking falls short of automatic qualification. The 37-year-old, who finished runner-up behind Patrick Reed at the 2018 Masters, sits 65th in the world rankings and therefore has narrowly missed out on a place at Augusta.

Fowler has previously featured in the world's top 10, while former top 20 player Joaquin Niemann is another who will play no part this year. Chilean sensation Niemann has made the cut in each of the last five Masters editions but will have to wait for his next appearance.

Several other prominent American and overseas stars are also sitting out the first major of 2026. Tony Finau boasts top-five finishes across all four majors, including a tie for fifth at the 2019 Masters when Woods won the last of his majors, yet has seen his world ranking slip considerably of late and was unable to find another route in.

Billy Horschel and Will Zalatoris are likewise absent, with the latter - a former runner-up at Augusta - having endured a difficult period with injuries to see his ranking fall dramatically. Korean star Tom Kim competed in the last three Masters editions but will not feature this time, while Sahith Theegala has failed to sufficiently improve his ranking to qualify following his own battle with injury.

David Lipsky impressed at the recent Valspar Championship, finishing as runner-up behind Matt Fitzpatrick, but will have to wait a little longer for his Masters bow. British professional Jordan Smith is also yet to receive his Augusta opportunity, with his world ranking of 68th falling just short of the required standard.

Fellow British star Harry Hall sits outside the world's top 50 yet has secured qualification for his first ever Masters despite a handful of players ranked above him falling frustrating short. Among them are Pierceson Coody and Ryo Hisatsune, ranked 54th and 55th in the world respectively.

Top players missing the 2026 Masters (selected names): Pierceson Coody, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Ryo Hisatsune, Billy Horschel, Tom Kim, David Lipsky, Phil Mickelson, Joaquin Niemann, Jordan Smith, Sahith Theegala, Tiger Woods, Will Zalatoris