The golf gods aren’t smiling on Phil Mickelson this season, with a string of missed cuts at the first three men’s majors, including the 2025 U.S. Open, which reportedly dashed his last chance at a career Grand Slam. Despite a disappointing season, including struggles at LIV Golf, a golf insider showed support for Mickelson when it comes to another big golf event at Bethpage Black, suggesting “Keegan should put Phil Mickelson in as an assistant captain [in the Ryder Cup].” However, Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley’s latest U.S. team update has seemingly shut that door on Mickelson.

Ahead of the recent announcement from Keegan Bradley, the U.S. team boasted a total of four vice-captains, including Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, and Brandt Snedeker. In contrast, European captain Luke Donald has only appointed three assistants so far: Edoardo Molinari, Thomas Bjorn, and Jose Maria Olazabal. Despite little expectation of a fifth addition for the U.S. team, Bradley did announce another vice-captain, effectively shutting the door on Phil Mickelson’s potential National Duty role.

As per Bradley’s Wednesday announcement, U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley appointed Gary Woodland as the fifth and final vice captain for the American team. Gary Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, has no Ryder Cup experience, but he did play in the 2019 Presidents Cup for the U.S. team under Tiger Woods. However, Woodland’s Ryder Cup experience – or lack thereof – stands in sharp contrast to that of Mickelson’s.

Phil Mickelson is familiar with Bethpage Black, having played there five times, including two U.S. Open runner-up finishes (2002 and 2009). He’s also a seasoned Ryder Cup veteran, playing on every U.S. team from 1995 to 2018, with 12 appearances and three wins, and later serving as vice captain in 2021. So, what’s the reason behind this lost opportunity?

In 2024, Mickelson answered that question on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” “I don’t feel I’m the right guy to be involved with the team because I’m a very divisive character right now, if you will, and I understand that.” Mickelson reasoned that his LIV Golf association has brought in “a lot of hostilities towards me, and I don’t feel I’d be the best leader for them.” While Keegan Bradley might not explain Phil Mickelson’s absence, the U.S. captain is excited about Gary Woodland’s Ryder Cup debut.

Keegan Bradley has an “incredible amount of respect” for Gary Woodland

In his Wednesday announcement of the fifth U.S. team’s Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley said, “I have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for Gary and all he has accomplished in this game. As a major champion and someone who is still competing at a high level, he is well aware of the demands of performing on golf’s biggest stages.”

Gary Woodland, on the other hand, said, “Keegan’s passion for this event is contagious and I am thrilled to be a part of it. With just over two months to go until we arrive at Bethpage, I am fully committed to doing everything I can to help Keegan as well as our team of vice captains and players.” And although Gary Woodland doesn’t have any Ryder Cup experience, a few things might work in his favor, given his impressive track record.

Gary Woodland won the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach with a 13-under 271, securing a three-stroke victory. Now 41, he has achieved 56 top-10 finishes in 383 career starts and is well-liked by his peers and fans. After undergoing extensive brain surgery in the fall of 2023, Woodland continues to compete despite facing ongoing complications. In February, he was recognized for his resilience with the PGA Tour Courage Award.

Despite the complications, Gary Woodland says, “I am extremely excited and grateful to Keegan for the opportunity to support the U.S. team.” Honestly, the Topeka native’s enthusiasm is quite contagious! The Ryder Cup is scheduled for September 26 to 28, and it will be exciting to see how Woodland and the other U.S. team vice captains work to reclaim the trophy from Europe this year at Bethpage Black in New York!