Phil Mickelson still hoping to play in 13th consecutive Ryder Cup

Phil Mickelson is still hopeful that he can make a record 13th successive Ryder Cup appearance in September’s rescheduled match at Whistling Straits.

Phil Mickelson in action during the pro-am event prior to the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

The 50-year-old sits 40th in the points standings for Steve Stricker’s side, having landed his last win on the PGA Tour just over two years ago.

He has little chance of securing an automatic spot, but, with six captain’s picks up for grabs, the five-time major winner is hoping to use this week’s Saudi International to start staking his claim.

“As we stand right now, I haven't done anything to warrant that,” said Mickelson of his hopes of extending a playing role in the event stretching back to 1995. “So I've got to play well.

“And, fortunately, the way the points system is, which is very heavy the year of Ryder Cup, it gives every player an opportunity. If they play well, they can earn their way on the team.”

Mickelson seems certain to captain the US in the event at some point and is likely to be one of Stricker’s vice captains in Wisconsin if this is the year that run finally comes to an end.

“It would be an honor to be part of the team as a vice captain if that's what Steve Stricker, our captain, wants,” he added.

“I would like to obviously play, but I have not played well enough to warrant consideration.

“However, there's a lot of golf left, and if I play well, if I can win a couple tournaments, I think that I might warrant some consideration.”

Mickelson was part of the US task force set up in the wake of a heavy defeat at Gleneagles in 2014, immediately after which he launched a public verbal attack on captain Tom Watson.

It was believed that succession planning was one of the things to come out of that only for Davis Love, a two-time former Ryder Cup captain, to recently be announced as the 2020 Presidents Cup captain.

Asked about that appointment, Mickelson said: “I would not say enough good things about Davis Love as a person and a player but especially as a captain and a leader.

“He has helped players play their best in these events and he has helped vice captains be their best leaders when they captain these events.

“I just think the world of him and I think that all the players that have a chance to play for him have a unique opportunity and a life experience to spend time with him.

“I think he's just a terrific person, player and especially captain.”

Had Mickelson himself been in the frame for that post? “Oh, I don't know where to go with that,” he said.

“I mean, those conversations I don't feel like they should be discussed here but amongst each other.”

Mickelson, a two-time winner on the Champions Tour last year, is playing in the Saudi event at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City for the second year running.

“I think that it's really a fun golf course to play,” he said of the Red Sea coast venue. “I enjoyed it last year. “Condition is a 10 out of 10. I don't think you can get it anymore approximately manicured and set up for an event."

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