PHIL’S LEFTY OUT IN THE COLD

BENCHED: Mickelson PHIL MICKELSON was humiliatingly reduced to the role of on-course cheerleader yesterday after being put out into the cold by US captain Jim Furyk.

The most experienced Ryder Cup player of all time was dropped from a great height after losing in his only appearance alongside Bryson DeChambeau on Friday afternoon.

Thorbjorn Olesen was also benched by Europe after one appearance on Friday but as a rookie that was no big surprise. Mickelson, 48, who failed to qualify for the team but was picked as a wildcard by Furyk, falls into a completely different category as a pillar of the US team for two decades.

He was the sole American left twiddling his thumbs with Furyk unable to risk him after his erratic performance in a heavy 5&4 foursomes defeat to Sergio Garcia and Alex Noren.

Given his poisonous stab at Tom Watson when he was asked to sit out the Saturday at Gleneagles four years ago after playing 36 holes on day one, it was a brave call from Furyk but the fact is this has proved one Ryder Cup too many for Mickelson.

The fading left-hander, who broke Sir Nick Faldo’s record for most Ryder Cups at this – his 12th – will also share the Englishman’s match high of 46 in today’s singles.

Versailles though could well spell the end of the road for Lefty.