Phil Mickelson applauded Team USA for putting forth one of the “most incredible” Ryder Cup performances during Sunday’s singles after shutting down any speculation he’ll become a future American captain.
On the final day of competition, the Stars and Stripes staged an impressive rally by winning six of the 11 singles matches and tying three others. The fierce comeback ultimately wasn’t enough, however, as the Europeans held on for a 15-13 victory at Bethpage Black Golf Course.
Taking to social media on the heels of the Americans’ gut-wrenching defeat, Mickelson commended his compatriots for fighting until the very end. “Team USA gave one of the most incredible and inspiring Sunday performances,” he wrote on X. “Amy and I want to send our best to Captain Keegan and the rest of the team who played every shot with so much heart and represented the United States so well. Go USA. And of course, congratulations to Team Europe on another incredible win!”
At times during Friday and Saturday, Team USA captain Keegan Bradley drew considerable backlash for his pairings and inability to rally players as Team Europe rallied to a commanding lead.
Given the Americans’ struggles under the tutelage of Bradley, European Ryder Cup legend Lee Westwood playfully suggested that Team USA should turn to Mickelson as captain when the biennial event travels to Ireland in 2027. “Hey @PhilMickelson,” Westwood said, “Fancy @TheAdareManor 2027???”
Mickelson swiftly shot down the suggestion, insisting that he was done participating in the Ryder Cup after playing in the tournament 12 times – most recently in 2018. “No rumors. My Ryder Cup involvement is over,” he replied. “I am happy being a spectator and rooting for Team USA.”
This is hardly the first time that Mickelson has declined the role of Team USA captain should the honor be offered to him. While making an appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ last January, the 55-year-old conceded that he’s too “divisive” of a character at the moment to effectively lead the Stars and Stripes.
“I’ve had 12, 13 opportunities to be a part of the Ryder Cup – 12 as a player, one as a vice captain – and I’ve loved every minute of it and cherished those moments and those life experiences,” Mickelson said. “I don’t feel I’m the right guy to be involved with the team because I’m a very divisive character right now, if you will. And I understand that the players on the PGA Tour, there’s a lot of hostilities toward me, and I don’t feel like I’d be the best leader for them going forward.
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“I think that as the Ryder Cup captain, you have to be kind of a unifier and have these relationships solidified and be somebody that you want to follow, and right now, I’ve been very divisive – and I’m OK with that, I knew that was going to be the case, I knew that it was going to take a couple of years and that I was going to take a lot of hits and a lot of divisiveness.
“As a divisive individual, I don’t think I’m the best unifier going forward for the Ryder Cup. And that’s fine because I’ve had so many great memories with it; it’s time for other people to create their own memories.”
