Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson headed to the 2010 Ryder Cup as two of the United States’ most in-form players.
Mickelson went to Celtic Manor fresh off winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Johnson, in the infancy of his career, had finished fifth in the 2010 PGA Championship and inside the top ten at the US Open.
USA captain Corey Pavin partnered his two star players. On paper, this decision seemed wise. But what actually happened in Wales was unexpected.
Johnson and Mickelson lost every match they played together as the USA fell to a crushing defeat.
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson’s Ryder Cup partnership
Speaking in a recent YouTube video, Mickelson discussed his partnership with Johnson and admitted their playing styles clashed.
Mickelson asked: “Do you remember in Wales when we were partnered together?”
Johnson replied: “I do, I remember practice rounds and everything was going good. Obviously, the weather was atrocious. We had played so much together; we knew each other’s games and thought nobody was going to beat us, and then we were the worst.”
Mickelson added: “What I realised was that I had to just stay out of your way, and I talk through it. When a lot of it is for me talking through my thoughts and getting me to kind of relax, you didn’t want to hear that.”
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson’s 2010 Ryder Cup record
It was a miserable three days for Johnson and Mickelson during the 2010 edition at Celtic Manor. Playing the first four-ball match on Friday, the duo were beaten 3&2 by Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer.
In Saturday’s foursomes, Pavin continued with the Johnson-Mickelson partnership. However, the pair lost 3&2 to Ross Fisher and Padraig Harrington.
Mickelson and Johnson were then split up for the Saturday four-ball session, which Europe won 5.5-1.5.
However, Johnson did have success in the singles after he beat Kaymer 6&4. Mickelson also won his singles match 4&2 against Peter Hanson.
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