The 2017 Presidents Cup saw the USA romp to an emphatic victory over Nick Price’s International side at Liberty National in New Jersey.
With major winners Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka representing the US, it was always going to be a challenging task for the Internationals.
With Steve Stricker’s team leading by 11 points after the second day’s fourballs, Price’s men headed into the singles knowing defeat was a forgone conclusion.
Despite a spirited 7.5-4.5 victory during the Sunday session, the 2017 Presidents Cup proved to be another precession for the United States.
Kevin Kisner and Phil Mickelson team up at the 2017 Presidents Cup
Captain Stricker opted to use experienced duo Phil Mickelson and Kevin Kisner during Thursday’s opening foursomes at Liberty National—Mickelson, who was one of two captain’s picks, was competing in his twelfth Presidents Cup.
Kisner and Mickelson halved their opening match against Jason Day and Marc Leishman before winning their fourball match against the Aussie pair on Friday.
The duo won again in Saturday morning’s foursomes before sitting out of the afternoon fourball. The Mickelson-Kisner partnership yielded 2.5 points; however, Kisner wasn’t overly confident before taking to the course with the six-time major winner.
“Phil and I play a lot of golf together, and we have a good relationship on the trash-talking. So we thought we would be a good match-up with that. I love the way he always grinds it out and gets it together, and he lives for these moments, so that brings out the best in him,” Kisner said in his pre-tournament press conference.
“Oh, I’ll be relying on him heavy,” he added.
“I’ve already been telling him that all day. I’m like, you have to got to tell me what the hell to do. I don’t have a clue what I’m doing out here. I just want to hit it straight. I told him every time he has to hit it from the fairway, he’ll probably be uncomfortable. But other than that, we’ll be good to go.”
Will Phil Mickelson ever be a Ryder Cup captain?
Since Mickelson is one of the USA’s greatest match-play golfers, becoming a Ryder Cup captain will undoubtedly be a career goal for the 54-year-old.
And, after the PGA of America made LIV Golf players eligible for the 2025 event, the legendary lefty may stand a chance of taking up a captaincy role in the future.
Keegan Bradley, who will lead the USA at Bethpage Black, believes Mickelson will eventually be a captain.
“I still have a great relationship with Phil,” Bradley said. “I don’t think he’s interested in being a vice-captain. And to be honest with you, he’s a captain someday, I think. I haven’t spoken to Phil. I don’t want to speak for him at all, but I think he’s pretty busy with what he’s doing, and I have nothing but great things to say about Phil and our memories together, and what we did at the Ryder Cup is really one of my fondest memories in the game.”
Of course, Mickelson could play his way into contention for Bradley’s 2025 team. However, after his LIV Golf performance in 2024, the six-time major winner would need to make remarkable improvements to be considered.
Phil Mickelson’s Ryder Cup record
Mickelson has competed in 12 Ryder Cups and has competed in 47 matches. Currently, the 54-year-old’s record stands at 18 wins, 22 losses and seven halves.
One of the USA’s most crushing defeats came in 2004 when Europe ran out emphatic winners at Oakland Hils Country Club. During the event 21 years ago, Mickelson and Tiger Woods played together and famously lost both of their matches.
Mickelson’s most recent Ryder Cup was the 2018 edition at Le Golf National, which Europe also won.
The left was a vice-captain at Whistling Staights in 2021 as the United States regained the Ryder Cup with a crushing 19-9 win over Padraig Harrington’s men.
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