Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk....1-5-1 combined...I wish they proved their mettle on the course instead of in the press room. Maybe it's just me, but Phil just seems like the Eddie Haskell of golf. He seems cool, but you just can't count on him when you need him.
I just saw that Phil now has more losses (17) than any player in Ryder Cup history...and a chunk of those were in singles....can't blame those on a partner.
Eddie Haskell for two reasons. First, from personal observation and from my friends in the press who know him, Phil strives to say the right thing in front of cameras....Nice dress, Mrs. Cleaver. As soon as the cameras are off he's the biggest smartass in the room. Secondly, he can't be counted on when you need him. I believe his singles record is 4-4. That's not awful, but Phil has been one of the top 4 or 5 players in the world for this entire period. He's never played anyone above him in the world rankings, and 4-4 is the best he can do? He's just not the guy you want with you in the fox hole when the bombs start dropping.
Who would you like in the fox hole? Of the players who have been US veterans (at least 3 Cups)...
Love - losing record
Toms - losing record
Leonard - losing record
Cink - losing record
Furyk - losing record
Woods - losing record
Mickelson - losing record
Correct, Mickelson has 17 loses (2.125 loses per Cup). He has also played in 8 Cups - more than any other from his era.
Tiger has 14 loses (2.33 loses per Cup). He's played in 2 less Cups than Mickelson, but has a higher losing percentage while playing with better players.
Furyk has 15 loses (2.14 loses per Cup). He's played in 7 Cups.
If you want to point the finger at Mickelson, you also have to point the finger at the other veterans - especially Furyk and Woods. The reality is both of them are on track to accumulate the same or more loses than Mickelson over the same amount of Cups.
I also find it a bit inconsistent to have a go at Mickelson for being different off camera when his team mate is the poster child for living, selling, and portraying a true double life - and has just as bad a Cup record as Mickelson.
If those are your requirements for a fox hole mate, you may be looking on the team.