Ryder Cup a referendum on Mickelson
Phil Mickelson has been giving the Ryder Cup a lot of thought lately.
In Ryder Cups past, that might have signalled trouble for a U.S. team that has often lost because it struggles to find a mental edge. In the latest version that begins this week in Minnesota, it may not matter simply because there’s such a talent gap between the two teams.
The only real problem for Mickelson could be that he’ll be sharing the blame if the U.S. somehow kicks yet another one away at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
Lefty finds himself in a dual role as both the elder statesman and a senior adviser to a U.S. team that has been on the losing side way too often recently in its matches with Europe.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to do something special,” Mickelson said. “We have been given, the first time in 20 years that I’ve been involved in the Ryder Cup, actual input, actual say, kind of ownership, if you will, of the Ryder Cup. And all the players feel like they’re involved and listened to. All the vice captains have great input.”
Mickelson and Tiger Woods were among 11 players, captains and PGA of America officials who were appointed to
a “Ryder Cup Task Force” after the U.S. was thrashed by Europe two years ago in Scotland. In a desperate attempt to right the ship, they were charged with revamping anything and everything about how the U.S. prepares for the cup.
That led to Mickelson having a big hand in bringing back Davis Love III as captain, despite the fact the U.S. collapsed in singles play to lose under his guidance four years ago in Chicago.
Indeed, this team seems to be as much Mickelson’s as it is Love’s. He’s been prominent in talking about how it was put together, even contradicting Love earlier this month about team plans.
There are so many cooks on the American team – including an assistant captain by the name of Tiger Woods – that it’s impossible for everyone to match up their sound bits.
That’s especially true after Love upped the pressure by declaring his squad “the best golf team maybe ever assembled.”
That may or may not be true. The U.S. squad is supremely talented, and the Europeans have six players who have never been in a Ryder Cup before.
But for the U.S. to win, Mickelson will have to do more than just help put pairings together. And he has a checkered past in the Ryder Cup, where he famously lost twice in pairing with Woods and is 16-19-6 overall.