Six-time major champion, Phil Mickelson, has ruled himself out of becoming USA Ryder Cup captain in 2025 because he sees himself as too much of a divisive figure in the world of golf.
Mickelson currently plays on LIV Golf and has also been a head cheerleader for the Saudi backed tour and he believes his controversial nature during a turbulent period for golf makes him “a very divisive character right now.”
Europe have already announced that Luke Donald will remain as their captain for Bethpage Black next year while the Stars and Stripes are yet to name a successor to Zach Johnson.
Mickelson played on every Ryder Cup team from 1995 to 2018 and acted as vice captain to Steve Stricker in 2021 while his two US Open runner-up finishes at Bethpage Black made him a seemingly obvious choice to take the reins.
“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 said on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show.
“The players on the PGA Tour, there’s a lot of hostilities towards me and I don’t feel I’d be the best leader for them.”
Mickelson said a captain needs to bring unity and have solid relationships with the players, “somebody that you want to follow.”
“I knew I was going to take some hits going forward. I’m OK with that,” Mickelson said. “And as a divisive individual. I don’t think I’m the best unifier going forward for the Ryder Cup and that’s that’s fine because I’ve had so many great memories with it.”
Mickelson was one of the first high-profile players to move from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf and has since been suspended by the former.
The PGA Tour remain locked in negotiations with the Saudi PIF over the proposed merger deal with the deadline now extended until April having surpassed the previous D-Day of December 31, 2023.
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