Golf365 and Sporting Life - Ryder Cup

The world number two has been a feature in the United States' Ryder Cup team since 1995 but his record hardly reflects his status as a three-time major champion and serial winner on the PGA Tour (34 and counting). A 0.44 winning percentage (exactly the same as his great rival Tiger's) is hardly something for 'Lefty' to brag about. His nadir was surely that infamous singles defeat to Phillip Price in 2002 - the Welshman has done almost nothing of note since - when Mickelson's collapse summed up the States' miserable Sunday. Two years later at Oakland Hills, Hal Sutton took the decision to pair Mickelson and Woods together in the opening fourballs. It was a gamble which collapsed in spectacular fashion as the pair lost to Harrington and Montgomerie, then went down to Clarke and Westwood in the foursomes in the afternoon. But with Woods absent and after a poor season in the majors, Mickelson will be hoping to play a leading role for the US - and the idea of being top dog in Tiger's absence could well inspire him.