• United States need Gleneagles victory to reverse trend
• Open champion believes new driver can improve his game
The Open champion Phil Mickelson has suggested a United States victory in this year's Ryder Cup would benefit the biennial team event.
Europe's victory at Medinah in 2012 means that, since winning at The Belfry in 1993, the United States have tasted victory only twice out of nine Ryder Cups. Paul McGinley's European team are already the strong odds-on favourites to retain the trophy at Gleneagles in September.
Mickelson, who is fully expected to represent the United States for a 10th time in Perthshire, believes a reversal of his nation's fortunes would be for the wider good.
"That would be really special," Mickelson said when asked about the prospect of reclaiming the Ryder Cup. "I thought we had the last one and we let it slide. A four point lead, we let it get away.
"I think if we were able to come out on top that week, it would be something really good for not just the United States but also the tournament in general because we have not been faring well in that event."
Albeit Mickelson's thoughts are shared by many, Europe haven't exactly demolished their opposition. The continent's last two successes have arrived by just a single point with the Medinah comeback generally ranked as the best in Ryder Cup history.
On an individual level, Mickelson hopes the arrival of a new driver can open his season with a flourish at the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi. The 43-year-old had earlier and commonly reverted to three-woods from tees because of driving unreliability.
"There is one thing that makes me very excited about 2014," Mickelson explained. "As I look back on 2013, I played some of my best golf and had some huge breakthroughs. But I did most of it without a driver.
"This year, I have the best driver that I have ever hit. It lowers my spin rate, just like the three-wood. I drive it longer and straighter with my driver than I did with my three-wood. It's a whole different weapon in my arsenal now.
"If I drive the ball well, like I have been in practise and during this off-season, heading into this 2014 season then it could be the best year of my career for that simple reason."
If Mickelson has his way, new-found tee talents will allow him to complete a grand slam of major championships. The US Open, at which he has finished second six times, is the only of the major quartet to have eluded the left-hander thus far.
"I do believe that I'll win a US Open," Mickelson said. "I don't know if it's [to be] at Pinehurst this year. Very well could be, or in the future.
"I play well in that tournament too often to not believe or be confident in my ability to close that tournament out. But any major championship would make 2014 a memorable year." Reported by guardian.co.uk 9 hours ago.
• Open champion believes new driver can improve his game
The Open champion Phil Mickelson has suggested a United States victory in this year's Ryder Cup would benefit the biennial team event.
Europe's victory at Medinah in 2012 means that, since winning at The Belfry in 1993, the United States have tasted victory only twice out of nine Ryder Cups. Paul McGinley's European team are already the strong odds-on favourites to retain the trophy at Gleneagles in September.
Mickelson, who is fully expected to represent the United States for a 10th time in Perthshire, believes a reversal of his nation's fortunes would be for the wider good.
"That would be really special," Mickelson said when asked about the prospect of reclaiming the Ryder Cup. "I thought we had the last one and we let it slide. A four point lead, we let it get away.
"I think if we were able to come out on top that week, it would be something really good for not just the United States but also the tournament in general because we have not been faring well in that event."
Albeit Mickelson's thoughts are shared by many, Europe haven't exactly demolished their opposition. The continent's last two successes have arrived by just a single point with the Medinah comeback generally ranked as the best in Ryder Cup history.
On an individual level, Mickelson hopes the arrival of a new driver can open his season with a flourish at the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi. The 43-year-old had earlier and commonly reverted to three-woods from tees because of driving unreliability.
"There is one thing that makes me very excited about 2014," Mickelson explained. "As I look back on 2013, I played some of my best golf and had some huge breakthroughs. But I did most of it without a driver.
"This year, I have the best driver that I have ever hit. It lowers my spin rate, just like the three-wood. I drive it longer and straighter with my driver than I did with my three-wood. It's a whole different weapon in my arsenal now.
"If I drive the ball well, like I have been in practise and during this off-season, heading into this 2014 season then it could be the best year of my career for that simple reason."
If Mickelson has his way, new-found tee talents will allow him to complete a grand slam of major championships. The US Open, at which he has finished second six times, is the only of the major quartet to have eluded the left-hander thus far.
"I do believe that I'll win a US Open," Mickelson said. "I don't know if it's [to be] at Pinehurst this year. Very well could be, or in the future.
"I play well in that tournament too often to not believe or be confident in my ability to close that tournament out. But any major championship would make 2014 a memorable year." Reported by guardian.co.uk 9 hours ago.
