In September 2021, Phil Mickelson stood on the first tee at Whistling Straits, pumping his fist as American fans roared his name during Team USA’s dominant Ryder Cup victory. Fast-forward four years, and the six-time major champion finds himself watching from the sidelines—not by choice, but by consequence.

But on Friday morning, Phil Mickelson shattered nearly three years of Ryder Cup silence with a message that cut through golf’s bitter civil war. “On the Eve of the Ryder Cup, Amy and I are wishing Captain Keegan and the entire Team USA the best of luck in bringing the cup back home where it belongs! GO USA,” the LIV Golf star posted on X, garnering 76,900 views within hours.

The post represents far more than patriotic cheerleading. Since joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, Mickelson has maintained strategic silence on PGA Tour events, particularly Team USA competitions that now exclude him due to his defection from the tour. His sudden public endorsement of Captain Keegan Bradley’s squad signals a rare moment of unity in a sport fractured by lawsuits, loyalty battles, and billion-dollar power plays—proving that sometimes, love of country transcends professional allegiances.

The timing feels particularly significant given golf’s ongoing civil war. Other LIV players have taken varying approaches to supporting Team USA. Brooks Koepka played on the 2023 squad despite his LIV status, while Dustin Johnson resigned from PGA Tour membership, understanding his Ryder Cup ineligibility. Yet Mickelson’s voice carries a different weight—he’s the face of LIV Golf’s rebellion, making his Team USA endorsement a bridge-building gesture that transcends professional divisions.

The irony cuts deep for golf’s most prolific American Ryder Cup participant. Mickelson holds the record with 12 appearances from 1995-2018, earning 21.5 points—more than any American in history. His debut at Oak Hill in 1995 showcased his competitive fire, as he went 3-0-0, the only unbeaten American, despite Team USA’s narrow defeat.

However, his overall 18-22-7 record tells a complex story of individual moments amid collective struggles. The 1999 “Battle of Brookline” saw Mickelson deliver a crushing 4&3 victory over Jarmo Sandelin, contributing to America’s miraculous comeback from a 10-6 deficit. Yet, European journalists later reminded him that he holds the record for the most Ryder Cup losses, with 22 defeats.

His partnership with current captain Bradley produced magic at the 2012 Medinah, where they dominated Luke Donald and Sergio García in consecutive matches. That chemistry extends beyond competition. Previously, Mickelson praised Bradley’s captaincy decisions, describing the captain as classy as the king when Bradley chose team success over personal glory.

Perhaps his most memorable individual performance came at the 2016 Hazeltine against Sergio García. The match featured 19 birdies between them, with García shooting 8-under 64 while Mickelson fired 10-under 63. Despite Mickelson’s extraordinary display, García matched his closing birdie to halve the match. Mickelson celebrated his final putt with an emotional leap, later stating: “It’s a very emotional deal, and the putt on the last hole, I wasn’t sure if it would hang in there.”

Current reality: From captain-in-waiting to distant observer

Golf’s civil war has transformed Mickelson from potential captain to distant observer. He acknowledged his current status candidly in a 2023 interview: “As a divisive figure, I don’t think I’m the best unifying presence for the Ryder Cup.” This Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black represents what many believed would be Mickelson’s captaincy moment, given his five appearances at the venue.

Instead, he watches from afar as Bradley leads a team featuring only one LIV representative—Bryson DeChambeau. The exclusion stings particularly because Mickelson originally championed Bethpage Black as a Ryder Cup venue as early as 2010.

Still, Mickelson’s public endorsement signals something larger than individual grievances. Sometimes, love of country cuts deeper than tour allegiances, proving that patriotic passion transcends professional divisions in golf’s fractured landscape.