Phil Mickelson has long been a staple of Team USA, representing his country 12 times at the Ryder Cup and compiling a record of 18-22-7. With that kind of experience, it wasn’t surprising when fans began speculating about him captaining the 2027 team after the Americans’ crushing two-day defeat at Bethpage Black. But Mickelson has put those rumors to rest.

GOLF.COM reposted a quote of Lee Westwood‘s, “Hey @PhilMcikelson Fancy @TheAdareManor 2027???,” with their own caption,” Captain Phil 2027? Let the rumors begin.”

But before fans could even chime in, Mickelson cleared the air. The LIV golfer wrote, “No rumors. My Ryder Cup involvement is over. I’m happy being a spectator and rooting for Team USA 👍”

That blunt reply confirmed what many had suspected—Mickelson has officially closed the book on his Ryder Cup career. His last appearance came in 2018, where he went 0-2-0 as a captain’s pick. He was once considered a strong candidate for a future captaincy. However, this might hardly come as a surprise to many, as this isn’t the first time he has distanced himself from the role.

Back in 2025, when speculation about him taking over began, Mickelson was candid about why he wasn’t the right fit: “I knew I was going to take some hits going forward. I’m OK with that. And as a divisive individual, I don’t think I’m the best unifier going forward for the Ryder Cup, and that’s fine.”

With 21.5 career points in Ryder Cup play and even a stint as vice-captain in 2021, Mickelson’s contributions are undeniable. But since joining LIV Golf, his path has diverged sharply, leaving him content to cheer on from the sidelines rather than lead from the front.

Since joining the Saudi-backed league, he has frequently discussed its merits compared to the PGA Tour, even going so far in 2025 as to publicly back Joaquin Niemann over Scottie Scheffler for the OWGR’s top spot. Against this backdrop, U.S. officials opted for Keegan Bradley as the more unifying figure. Bradley’s deep Ryder Cup history and ability to bridge divides made him the ideal pick. But, despite the controversy surrounding Mickelson, Bradley has openly praised his former teammate’s contributions, showing respect even amid turbulent circumstances.

“I loved playing with Phil for a couple of reasons. One, in alternate shot, I knew I could hit it anywhere. He’d hit one out [of trouble] or I miss the green and he’d chip it to a foot. And the other thing is in best ball, my strength is I hit it pretty straight down the fairway, and Phil is dinging it over here or over there, and he’s hitting shots out of the woods to 10 feet. I loved our dynamic as a partnership, and I was very willing to let Phil kind of take and lead that way, and he was the boss.”

The duo were paired together in the Ryder Cup and have achieved great results. Back in 2012 at Medinah, the pair recorded 3-0-1, showcasing their chemistry.

So, Mickelson, without being too obvious, always had a strong sense of duty to do right by his country, and his support for the Ryder Cup this year has been equally strong.

Phil Mickelson’s active support of the 2025 Ryder Cup

Despite not being on the team for the third consecutive year, he has still shown patriotism and support for the 2025 edition. Before the event teed off, he posted on X, writing, “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 six-time major champion hasn’t been the biggest supporter of Team USA competitions, but now, with the civil war and a crucial matchup to redeem against the Europeans. The golfer has stepped up in support. Not just this, but despite the tough first day, he backed the team again.

On September 27th, Phil Mickelson posted on X, supporting the team. He wrote, “I know Team USA 🇺🇸 is down 5 points, but Captain Keegan nailed the afternoon pairings and they are going to make a strong run! USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸.”

The post garnered nearly 100,000 views as he backed the team. For the American side, this support is crucial, as Europeans have traditionally dominated. The team is falling behind with 4.5 to 11.5 points. With the singles remaining, every golfer has to seize the opportunity for victory to claim the title on home soil. Can the American side do it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.