Phil Mickelson has become a fixture of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. In his record 12 appearances for the U.S. squad, Mickelson owns some of the most notable records on the U.S. side and has contributed to several memorable moments in the history of the event. Here is a look at the highlights of Lefty’s career at the Ryder Cup.Mickelson’s Ryder Cup record
Career record (W-L-H): 18-22-7
Years Played: 1995-97-99-2002-04-06-08-10-12-14-16-18
Total Matches: 47
Singles (W-L-H): 8-6-1
Foursomes (W-L-H): 5-8-4
Four-balls (W-L-H): 8-8-2
Notable records held by Mickelson
Most U.S. Ryder Cup appearances: 12
Most U.S. fourball points won: 9
Most overall matches played: 47 (Passing the record previously held by Sir Nick Faldo with 46)
Most foursomes matches: 17 (Second most all-time)
Mickelson’s memorable Ryder Cup moments
1995
Mickelson turned professional and joined the PGA Tour in 1992. He qualified for his first U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1995, missing out on the 1993 Ryder Cup, which is the only team he hasn’t been a part of since turning professional. Mickelson dazzled as a rookie on the U.S. squad, going 3-0-0 in his Ryder Cup debut, and was the only unbeaten player to compete in 1995. However, it wasn’t enough to lift the U.S. team to victory as they lost to Team Europe 14.5 to 13.5.
1999
Sunday at Brookline Country Club, Mickelson was the third player out of the gate for the U.S. team who faced a daunting 10-6 deficit heading into the final day of the 1999 Ryder Cup. Mickelson delivered for his team with a crushing 4 & 3 victory over Europe’s Jarmo Sandelin, with whom Mickelson shared a contentious history. Mickelson went 2-0-0 for the week and the U.S. won 14.5 to 13.5. v
2004
Hal Sutton, the U.S. Ryder Cup Captain in 2004 at Oakland Hills Country Club, delivered on the pairing golf fans had longed to see when he partnered Mickelson with Tiger Woods at the Ryder Cup. However, the match up didn’t deliver the fireworks on the golf course that they did in the media when the pair lost both matches on Day One. Team Europe served up a crushing 18.5 to 9.6. record-setting victory when they defeated the U.S. team in 2004.
2012
During the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, Mickelson found a formidable teammate in Keegan Bradley. On Day One, the duo pulled out a convincing 4&3 victory over Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia in the morning Foursomes, followed by another impressive 2&1 victory in the afternoon against Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. The American duo continued their magic on Day Two, defeating Lee Westwood and Luke Donald 7&6. However, it was the Europeans who would pull out the win, matching the largest comeback in Ryder Cup history, coming back from a 10-6 deficit to win on Sunday 14.5 to 13.5
2016
In one of the most exciting Singles Matches in recent memory, Mickelson drew Sergio Garcia on Sunday at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mickelson faced a formidable opponent in Garcia, who in 2018, became the all-time points leader in Ryder Cup history. Between them, they made 19 birdies and were a combined 18-under par for the match. It ended in a halve and the U.S. Team won back the Ryder Cup 17-11.
