Phil Mickelson might not be part of Team USA for the Olympics in Paris this year but he’s had a big – and negative – say on the golf course being used.
Le Golf National will play host to the Olympic golf over the next few weeks as some of the top stars in the world look to win gold.
Of course, Le Golf National is more well known for hosting French Opens and Ryder Cups. And the last time it hosted the Ryder Cup, it proved a nightmare for Team USA and Mickelson.
In 2018, Mickelson and his team were hammered by seven points as Europe won back the cup.
And after losing both his matches in France, Mickelson did not hold back on his verdict of the course.
Why Phil Mickelson previously criticised the Olympic golf course at Le Golf National
Speaking back in 2018 (Golf Digest) after Team USA had been hammered by Team Europe in Paris, Mickelson pulled no punches in slating the state of the course.
“The fact is they had brutal rough, almost unplayable, and it’s not the way I play,” Mickelson said.
“I don’t play like that. And here (Napa) I can miss the fairways, i can get shots out of the rough up on the green and it’s playable.”
“And I’m 48. I’m not going to play tournaments with rough like that anymore, it’s a waste of my time. I’m going to play courses that are playable and that I can play aggressive, attacking, make a lot of birdies, style of golf I like to play.”
Luckily for old ‘Lefty’ he doesn’t have to worry so much these days now he’s winding down the years on the LIV tour.
And in fairness to him, the rough that week in 2018 was brutal, and is unlikely to be the same this year.
Still, the course itself is a test, as Tommy Fleetwood has alluded to, while Tom Kim has also suggested players will need to play well to win.
It’s all set up, then, to be a hugely entertaining affair in Paris as the world’s best go head to head to bring home the gold.
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