BIG TWO: YANKS FOR NOTHING..
THEY are the two giants of American golf and, in November, will play each other in a one-off match in Las Vegas for £7million.
But in an event where victory is priceless, Tiger Woods (above) and Phil Mickelson suffered the biggest humiliation of their Ryder Cup careers. Between them, they had a 100 per cent record – played six, lost six.
Woods’ 2&1 loss to Jon Rahm was his fourth over the three days. And when Mickelson (below) was brushed aside 4&2 by Francesco Molinari, he entered the record books.
Mickelson has now lost more points, 22, than any player in Ryder Cup history – while Woods and Mickelson have played in eight Ryder Cups together and lifted the trophy just once.
After the elation of his comeback win at the Tour Championship, Woods was stunned and sullen, merely saying: “It’s disappointing because I went 0-4. I’m one of the contributing factors to why we lost the Cup and it is not a lot of fun.”
At 48, the veteran of this Ryder Cup, Mickelson was in more expansive mood.
Despite his wretched form in just two matches, he insisted he is targeting a place on the 2020 team.
The Californian said: “It has meant so much to me over the years and I did not play well this year. This could very well, realistically, be my last one.
“But with these guys, I’m motivated now to work hard, to not go out on this note.
“And I’m motivated to play well these next two years to get back and to show what I can do in these events because this week was not my best.”
And Mickelson did have the grace to give the Europeans fulsome praise, saying: “Let’s be honest, the European side played some exquisite golf.”