ATLANTA: Phil Mickelson goes to the Ryder Cup, but not as a player.
U.S. Captain Steve Stricker on Wednesday named Mickelson one of his deputy captains, along with Fred Couples, for the games, which will take place Sept. 24-26 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
This also means Tiger Woods will not be a vice captain, as the limit per team is five. Davis Love III, Zach Johnson and Jim Furyk had previously been appointed as Stricker’s staff assistants.
Mickelson, 51, will not be part of the American team for the first time since 1995. He had played in 12 consecutive Ryder Cups.
He won the PGA Championship in May for his sixth major title and the 45th PGA Tour victory, becoming the oldest player in history to win a major championship. But that was his only top-10 this year and he didn’t qualify for this week’s Tour Championship.
“I’ve been in close contact with Freddie and Phil for a long time, talking about all the things in the Ryder Cup,” Stricker said. “They provide honest and shocking feedback, and they both have such a passion for the Ryder Cup. I’m honored that they were willing to join our team and help us position ourselves in the best position to win in a few weeks at Whistling Straits. “.
Mickelson has played in a record 47 games in the United States, with a record of 18-22-7.
The pair played five Ryder Cups (7-9-4) and were Love’s assistants in 2012. He also captained the U.S. Presidents ’Cup in 2009, 2011 and 2013, winning all three. He helped Woods, who was the U.S. captain in the 2019 Presidents ’Cup.
Stricker said on several occasions earlier this year that he hoped Woods could be part of the team and that he had consulted with him frequently, though it is unclear if he was officially asked to be vice captain.
Woods has not played this year after a serious car accident in February.
Stricker will make his six captaining choices to join teammates Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Cantlay on September 8th.