‘Arguably In a Better Place Now’: 9 Years After Phil Mickelson’s Controversial Outburst, 2023 Ryder Cup Captain Defends Him Despite Lefty Jumping Ship

Published 09/26/2023, 7:37 AM EDT

This week Zach Johnson has the massive responsibility of leading Team US in the Ryder Cup. Any decision he takes could make or break the team’s fortune in Rome. After Johnson stepped foot in Marco Simone on Monday, he was bombarded with a thousand questions.

One blast from the past was also thrown his way which focused on Phil Mickelson‘s outburst after the American defeat in the 2014 Ryder Cup. In his response, Johnson said things have since changed and is not likely to happen again, appearing to be defending the legendary golfer.

Zach Johnson is confident that his players share a good bond

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In comparison to Europe, US has enjoyed more wins in the Ryder Cup. However, grabbing a victory on European soil has always been a tough task for them. Once again this year the prestigious event is being held in Europe and it has left some people worried.

Yesterday a presser was held where Zach Johnson was asked what he had learnt from the incident involving Phil Mickelson in the 2014 Ryder Cup. Without naming Mickelson, Zach replied that things have definitely changed.

Zach said, “I think it’s in a better place, and I think it’s all because of that collaboration between us players, The PGA of America, and some of the other powers that really know what’s going on because we are passionate about this very Cup.” He also said that one probably learns more from defeat than from wins. That the part of sport.

He further added, “But yeah, make no mistake, I think we — Team USA is arguably in a better place now than what it was seven, eight, nine years ago, whatever it may be.” Things certainly have changed from 2014. Phil is also not part of the equation anymore. However, his lash-out at his captain has been recorded in the history books.

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Phil Mickelson’s angry moment after America’s loss at the 2014 Ryder Cup

In 2014, the Ryder Cup was held in the PGA Centenary Course at the Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland where Europe claimed victory over America by the margin of 16½ to 11½. Phil Mickelson who was playing that year was much irritated by this result and heavily criticized then US captain Tom Watson an in indirect manner. About decision-making, he said: “Nobody here was in any decision.”

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The lefty added that all decisions were made by Watson and his vice captains and the players’ opinions were not considered even once. Mickelson was more irritated because Watson had made him and Keegan Bradley sit out the Saturday sessions. But this year Johnson has assured that things will be different.

Watch this story – Golf World Disagrees With Phil Mickelson Over Latest LIV Golf Comments

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Written by:

Shafaque Taha is a fresh writer at EssentiallySports. She has been a golf enthusiast all her life and Tiger Woods has been her window into the sport and its legacy. Shafaque regards his iconic 2019 Masters win as her greatest inspiration in life.

Edited by:

Prateek Srivastava

‘Arguably In a Better Place Now’: 9 Years After Phil Mickelson’s Controversial Outburst, 2023 Ryder Cup Captain Defends Him Despite Lefty Jumping Ship

Zach Johnson is confident that his players share a good bond

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Phil Mickelson’s angry moment after America’s loss at the 2014 Ryder Cup