What Phil Mickelson said when asked if he wanted to be America’s Ryder Cup captain in 2025 before Keegan Bradley was announced

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Phil Mickelson was a Ryder Cup regular for America for many years, with no player appearing at the event more.

Mickelson currently occupies 14th place in the LIV Golf individual standings, having joined from the PGA Tour in 2022.

The 54-year-old continues his season after a disappointing run at The Masters earlier this month, where he missed the cut.

But an upbeat Mickelson congratulated Rory McIlroy on his triumph at Augusta National, with which he completed the career grand slam.

Mickelson is just one victory away from joining him and a handful of others in that exclusive club, having yet to win the US Open.

What Phil Mickelson said about being America’s 2025 Ryder Cup captain

His honours list comprises a superb six major championship wins, with team wins at the Ryder Cup also achieved.

Mickelson also served as vice-captain at the iconic tournament in 2021, while he shared his thoughts on being this year’s American captain back in January 2024.

Speaking before Keegan Bradley’s appointment as Ryder Cup captain, Mickelson said on The Pat McAfee Show: “I have had 12 or 13 opportunities to be a part of the Ryder Cup, 12 as a player and one a vice captain.

READ MORE: America and Keegan Bradley are starting to face a real Ryder Cup worry as Bethpage Black event draws closer

“I have loved every minute of it and cherished those moments and life experiences. I do not feel I am the right guy to be involved with the team because I am a very divisive character right now if you will.

“I understand the players on the PGA Tour, there is a lot of hostility towards me and I do not feel I would be the best leader for them going forward.

“I think as a Ryder Cup captain you have to be a unifier and have these relationships solidified and somebody that you want to follow and right now I have been very divisive. I am okay with that. I knew that was going to be the case.

“I knew it was going to take a couple of years and I was going to take a lot of hits and a lot of divisiveness but I believe that it is in the best interests of golf to present it in a different way and to a younger crowd and to try and stop a problem which is coming up quickly, which is the age demographic of our fans.

“And I believe it is going to be a better thing for the professional themselves, for some of the things behind the scenes, the pay structure and the rights of the players.

“I think those are going to be solved going forward and this is a product which brings a different element with team that I really believe in.

“I knew I was going to take some hits going forward, I am okay with that. And as a divisive individual I do not think I am the best unifier going forward for the Ryder Cup and that’s fine.

“I have had so many great memories with it, it is time for other people to be able to create their own memories and life experiences that the Ryder Cup provides.”

What is Phil Mickelson’s overall Ryder Cup record?

Mickelson has played in a huge 12 Ryder Cups, and has been a key figure for America both on and off the course regarding the tournament.

His experience is second to none, with a mammoth 47 matches played overall, the last of which arrived in 2018.

READ MORE: Wyndham Clark suggests the one thing he dislikes about the Ryder Cup as he admits being left disappointed with one of Zach Johnson’s decisions in Rome

But he would undoubtedly have hoped for more team success, with Mickelson helping America win just three Ryder Cups.

On an individual level meanwhile, the veteran has secured 21.5 points from his 18 wins, 22 losses and seven halves.